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ROUGHT ISOLD: 



A MODEL LIFE 



FOR 



CHRISTIAN WORKERS. 



BY MRS. S. R. I. BENNETT, 



AUTHOR OF WALKS OF USEFULNESS, ETC. 






- 



" Brief is the time, I know, 
The warfare scarce begun ; 
Yet all may win the triumphs thou hast won. 
Still flows the fount whose waters strengthened thee ; 

The victors' names are yet too few to fill 

Heaven's mighty roll ; the glorious armory 

That ministered to thee, is open still." 



\ 



PUBLISHED BY THE 
AMERICAN FEMALE GUARDIAN SOCIETY, 

29 EAST TWENTY-NINTH STREET, N. Y. 

1874. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by the 

AMERICAN FEMALE GUARDIAN SOCIETY, 

New York, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



TO 

THE MANY FRIENDS 

OF THE SUBJECT OF THIS LIFE SKETCH, 

AND OF 

THE TWO ASSOCIATIONS 

OF WHICH SHE WAS LONG THE PRESIDING OFFICER, 

AND ESPECIALLY 

TO THOSE WHOSE FREE-WILL OFFERINGS 

HAVE ADDED INTEREST TO THESE PAGES, 

THIS VOLUME 

.IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. 



THE KING'S DAUGHTER. 

"She wears no jewels upon hand or brow, 

No badge by which she may be known of men ; 
But though she walks in plain apparel now, 
She is the daughter of the King, and when 
Her Father calls her at his throne to wait, 
She will be clothed as doth befit her state. 

" Her Father sent her in his land to dwell, 
Giving to her a work that must be done ; 
And since the King loves all his people well, 
Therefore she too cares for them, every one. 
Thus when she stoops to lift from want and sin, 
The brighter shines her royalty therein. 

"She walks erect through dangers manifold, 
While many sink and fail on either hand ; 
She fears not summer's heat or winter's cold, 
For both are subject to the King's command. 
She need not be afraid of anything, 
Because she is the daughter of the King. 

" Even when the angel comes that men call Death, 
And name with terror, it appals not her ; 
She turns to look on him with quickened breath, 
Thinking, ' It is the Royal messenger.' 
Her heart rejoices that her Father calls 
Her back, to dwell within the palace walls." 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Introductory Remarks — Birth and Parentage — Marriage — Removal 
to New York — Letter to a Friend — Paper from Rev. Dr. Buding- 
ton - page 7 

CHAPTER II. 

Development of Character — Conversion — Labors as a Sabbath- 
School Teacher and Tract Visitor — Moral Condition of the Tene- 
ment Population of the City — Associated Effort — Organization 
of the American Female Guardian Society - - 13 

CHAPTER III. 

Aggressive Efforts in the Work of Reform and Prevention — Oppo- 
sition — Prison Labors — Visits at Sing-Sing Prison — Personal 
Endeavors to Secure the Appointment of Matrons in the Tombs — 
Results - - 18 

CHAPTER IV. 

Sabbath Meetings in the City Prison — Incidents — Misled and Desert- 
ed — A Rescued Family 22 

CHAPTER V. 

Enlarged Work — Trials of Faith — Patience in Tribulation — Oppo- 
sition Overruled — The Home and its Work — Visits at Alba- 
ny — Responsibilities Increased — Views, Plans, and Aims--- 27 

CHAPTER VI. 

Continued Labors— Interest in the Families of Seamen— Dark Days- 
Herculean Efforts to Overcome Disease — Exemplary Patience, 
Meekness, Christian love, and Fidelity — Letter from Hot Springs, 
Arkansas - 34 

CHAPTER VII. 

Personal Recollections of Mrs. M. A. Hawkins, by Mrs. C. C. 
North 42 



6 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Remedies Unavailing — Occupation as an Invalid — Thirteen Years 
removed from a Carriage to the Home Committee-Room in a 
Chair — Interest and Wise Counsels - -- 45 

CHAPTER IX. 

Gathered Fruits— Lost and Found— Early Crowned — The Child of 
Prayer — Transformed — Then and Now — Acquired Affection — 
Faithful Care Rewarded 54 

CHAPTER X. 

Removal to Brooklyn — Meetings Continued — Visit to the Seaside — 
Letter to Mrs. W- : -- 73 

CHAPTER XI. 

Death of Mr. Hawkins — Premonitions — Suggestions and Counsels — 
Last Days — Letters of Sympathy 77 

CHAPTER XII. 

The Closing Scene and its Lessons — Testimony — Parting Messages- 
Praise 85 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Obsequies — Remarks at Funeral by Rev. Dr. Budington and Rev. 
Dr. T. L. Cuyler — Gathering at the Home Chapel — Remarks by 
Rev. Drs. Tyng and Crosby — Interment at Woodlawn 90 

CHAPTER XIV 

Tribute of Respect from Managers of Mariners' Family Industrial 
Society - 100 

CHAPTER XV. 

Detached Sayings and Incidents 107 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Memorials of the Departed from Endeared Friends - 118 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Commemorative Discourse by Rev. S. H. Tyng, D. D. -- 131 



WROUGHT GOLD 

A MODEL LIFE 

FOR 

CHRISTIAN WORKERS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Introductory Remarks.— Birth and Parentage.— Early Bereavement- 
Marriage. — Removal to New York. — Letter to a Friend. 

" Wouldst thou the models seek in which to find 
The joy and blessedness of doing good, 
Look at the record of the faithful few, 
Whose Christian work has borne the richest fruits ; 
And give such models in thy heart a place." 

The following pages contain a brief record of a 
beautiful life. A record of an eminent disciple of 
Him who when on earth went about doing good, and 
who left us an example that we should follow his 
steps. 

Over forty years was this faithful Christian-worker 
spared to pray and labor, after entering her Lord's 
vineyard, and through grace received in health and 
sickness, in shadow and sunshine, in bereavement 
and suffering, in life and death, she was was ever 
enabled to bear convincing testimony to the power 



8 WROUGHT GOLD. 

of divine grace, the fulness of the promises and the 
blessedness found in obedience and trust. 

This summary of the " footprints" she has left 
"on the sands of time," is given at the request of 
many friends with the hope that it may prove a 
stimulus to well-doing, a comfort to the afflicted, an 
appeal for the class left as a legacy to the followers 
of a suffering Saviour always to be cared for by his 
people, and a tribute to departed worth, justified by 
the words of Jesus, spoken of another: "This also 
that she hath done shall be told for a memorial of 
her." 

Our title was suggested by the theme chosen for 
a memorial discourse by the venerated chairman of 
the Board of counsellors of the American Female 
Guardian Society, Rev. S. H. Tyng, D. D., which 
will be found at the close of this volume. 

The response of her daily life to the divine pre- 
cept, "Wherefore come out from among them, and 
be ye separate, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, 
saith the Lord Almighty," was so prompt, so filial, 
so uniform, as to leave no question of her clothing 
being of wrought gold, in the Scripture sense, or of 
her being truly one of the Kings daughters. 

" With them numbered e'er to be 
Here and in eternity." 

An esteemed member of the family of our depart- 
ed friend has kindly furnished the following state- 
ment respecting her early years. 

" Mrs. Hawkins, whose maiden name was Mary Anne Man, was 
the daughter of Dr. Albon Man, a well-known and highly esteemed 
physician of West Constable, Franklin county, New York, and was 



WROUGHT GOLD. 9 

born on the 4th of September, 1808. Her mother died leaving three 
older children and herself, when she was still a mere infant, but the 
marriage of her father, not many months afterwards, to one who 
filled the mother's place with devoted affection for all, left the orphans 
no room to feel their loss, and laid the foundation for a love, long 
enduring and faithful, which continued till the death of the mother, 
one year before her own. 

" Mrs. Hawkins always maintained that a stepmother's position 
could be made much less of a trial than it is often considered to be, 
always giving her own experience as a pleasant proof and example. 
In this case the ' mother's heart found room for all,'' and she always 
seemed to feel for the children of the elder family an affection equal 
to that for her own, and she often remarked that for her ' dear child 
Mary Anne, the baby she took in its infancy, she felt the same love, 
as for her own son and daughters.' And it was apparent to every 
one that what she said was true. Indeed the affection existing be- 
tween the two sets of children and their unity of feeling, was some- 
thing very remarkable; they never spoke of each other as half 
brothers and sisters, and never seemed to feel any difference in their 
love for each and all, and this feeling lasted through all their lives. 

" The sudden death of their beloved father, caused by an accidental 
fall from his horse, when Mary Anne was in her thirteenth year, 
caused a deep shadow to fall over their happiness. She always felt 
that that shock, and the loneliness and suffering it caused the moth- 
er and all the children, affected all her future life, bringing her mind 
to an early acquaintance with sorrow, arousing a sympathy with 
other sufferers, and causing a maturity of thought and feeling quite 
unusual in one so young. 

"In 1823, she removed with her mother and her children to 
Plattsburgh, where, on the 16th of November, 1824, she was married 
to Mr. Charles W. Hawkins of Constable, Franklin county, a happy 
union, which continued to the joy and comfort of both, for nearly 
fifty years, and was only terminated by the death of her husband, one 
week previous to her own. 

"They remained in Franklin county some years, but in 1828 re- 
moved to New York city, which from that period became the home 
and city of her adoption." 

The following extract from a letter written by 
Mrs. Hawkins in July, 1843, gives the only recollec- 
tions of her childhood and early youth that we have 

from her own pen : 

1* 



10 WROUGHT GOLD. 

" Yours was received two weeks since but I have been hoping to 

see you or cousin Harry to-day You speak of the reminiscences 

of childhood. That period so long and so fondly cherished by most is 
in a great degree obliterated from memory's page. The sudden and 
unexpected death of my father, at the early age of twelve, seemed 
almost at once to dissipate the thoughtlessness of childhood, and to 
be succeeded by the sorrows and cares of riper years. Four years 
more and I was a wife. Hope then beckoned me forward to a long 
period of joy and happiness, and I have no doubt I realized as much 
of both, as oftens falls to the lot of any, who seek mere worldly 
pleasure. Though of later years a * glorious hope' has been mine, 
that will not make ashamed, that is to the soul, an anchor sure and 
steadfast. 

" May I ask is this yours also, or do you still neglect this great 
salvation ? Remember this alone is sufficient to bring you under 
condemnation, to close the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem. ' How 
shall we indeed escape, if we neglect Him, who, though rich, for our 
sakes became poor, who died that we might live ? ' " 

Our thanks are due to the Rev. Dr. Budington 
of Brooklyn, for the following communication. We 
insert it here that it may better direct the mind of 
the reader to the grace received for the mission ac- 
complished in the lif ework we have briefly to narrate. 
A lifework interrupted at its noonday by years of 
suffering, and yet remarkably useful even to its close. 

" Brooklyn, N. Y., June 17, 1874. 
" Dear Madam : I am glad to know that you intend writing some 
memorial of the late Mrs. Hawkins. It seems to me eminently fit- 
ting, and I cannot doubt that it will be as useful. It is seldom God 
gives his church such an example of patient suffering, and submissive 
obedience. To me it has been one of the most precious privileges 
of my ministry, that I was permitted to know her, and in some hum- 
ble ways to minister to her. When one considers for how many 
years she suffered under one of the most painful, and most remedi- 
less of bodily diseases ; and how she bore it, with what spirit and 
sweetness and hope, she seems to be an ordained minister of God, 
to teach and illustrate his Gospel. I have reason to think that she 
looked upon it herself in this light. With all humility she felt, 
that God had called her to suffer, that this was definitely his will, 



WROUGHT GOLD. H 

and recognizing it, she did it, her suffering, it was an active obedience ; 
and without knowing what God's purposes were, she believed that 
they existed, and to accomplish them, she willingly worked in 
meek, patient, submissive endurance. For two years before the 
disease manifested itself, she had an impression on her mind, that 
something was to happen to her, something strange and important, 
by which she was to glorify God. She knew not what it was to be. 
Sometimes she thought she was to die, but the years passed in the 
constant and deepening belief that a trial was at hand, of some 
unknown kind, and her prayer was unremitting that God would pre- 
pare her for it, whatever it might be. 

" It was owing to this peculiar experience, in some measure no 
doubt, that her submission was so profound. She bowed her head 
before a manifest providence. God had called her to this as really 
as he had his own dear Son to the cross and Paul to his apostleship. 
She did not exaggerate, in the least, the importance of her mission 
of suffering, she only felt the reality of it, and was therefore content 
to do and to suffer. An eminent lady once called upon her, to ask 
her to unite with several sisters, who deeply sympathized with her, 
and who felt that if they offered the prayer of faith, God would 
restore her to health. The recently published accounts of marvellous 
answers to such prayers, in the sudden, and to human eyes unaccount- 
able recovery of confirmed invalids, was the ground upon which 
such a proposition was made to her. Mrs. Hawkins firmly, but in 
a thankful and affectionate spirit, declined to engage in this union 
of prayer for such a purpose. She could not bring herself to believe, 
that it was God's will thus to restore her ; on the contrary, she was 
convinced that it was God's will, she should suffer as she did, and 
continue to suffer to the end. Some glorify God in one way, some 
in another ; it was God's will, that she should glorify him in this 
way, and being satisfied of this, her supreme and unvarying prayer 
was, that God would enable her cheerfully to occupy the post he had 
assigned her, and acceptably*do her work. She was full of confi- 
dence that he would — full of thanksgivings that he had ; and when 
the end was at hand, in that last week of her life, so full of trial, and 
so needing trust, she felt persuaded that He who had so long sup- 
ported her would not forsake her then ; and he did not. Two suc- 
cessive Sabbaths ushered husband and wife into heaven, and the 
eternal Sabbath for them had begun. 

" The perfectness of Mrs. Hawkins' submission was evidenced by 
the peacefulness of her countenance. This, rather than pain, would 
strike a stranger upon being introduced to her. Conversing with 



12 WROUGHT GOLD. 

her, one might even forget the pain she endured. She did not 
allude to it, unless the subject was introduced by another; and then 
she spoke truly, naturally and briefly about it. It was beautiful to 
see how she could interest herself in another's experience, even when 
they were the opposite of hers. A bright sweet smile irradiated 
her face, when the young, the well and the happy spoke of pleas- 
ures and hopes. She had no complaints to make, that God had con- 
fined her to her chair so many years, and made her so helpless as 
not to be able even to brush a fly from her face. She conld read, 
and for this she was unspeakably grateful. She had unfaltering 
confidence in Him in whom she believed, and with this she was con- 
tent. She knew the end would come, and then her Saviour's pres- 
ence, and the mansions of her father's house ! Blessed saint ! thou 
art at rest now, thy God hath wiped away all tears from thine eyes, 
and thy eternal life is the richer and the sweeter, for what thou 
didst suffer here ! 

" I am very truly yours, 

"WILLIAM IVES BUDINGTON." 



" God's ways are not as our ways, his thoughts are not as ours ; 
He wounds us sore with cruel thorns, where we have looked for 

flowers ; 
But oh ! 't is from the oft-pierced heart those precious drops distil, 
That many a life, else all unblest, with healing balm shall fill ; 
Then give, oh give the flower to those who pray it so may be, 
But I would choose to have the thorns, with thee, dear Lord, with 

thee !" 



WROUGHT GOLD. 13 



CHAPTER II. 

Development of Character. — Conversion. — Labors as a Sabbath- 
School Teacher and Tract Visitor. — Moral Condition of the Tene- 
ment Population of the City. — Associated Effort. — Organization 
of the American Female Guardian Society. 

It was immediately after the death of her hon- 
ored father in 1820 that the womanly character of 
the twice bereaved daughter, M. A. Man, began 
to attract special notice. The smitten flock found 
solace in her words and acts of love, and the widowed 
mother a full return for her fidelity, in the filial de- 
votion of a child whom she had drawn to her by 
silken cords. 

The burdens so cheerfully borne at this period, 
were not without compensation. They helped to 
develop and mature characteristics of great value. 
The self-discipline acquired and earnest efforts to be 
useful proved in after years the truth of the Scrip- 
ture, " It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in 
his youth." 

Love of home and domestic cares, and the quiet 
rural scenes by which she was surrounded, tended 
to refine and cultivate the affections and the tastes 
of girlhood, health and vigor were ajso promoted, and 
when Providence appointed her lot amid surround- 
ings widely different, she realized the great worth of 
this physical culture. 

The few who remember her as a youthful bride, 



14 WROUGHT GOLD. 

speak of her as being remarkably beautiful, as bear- 
ing about her a glowing radiance, a sweet simplicity 
and queenly grace peculiarly attractive; and in 
terms almost equally strong of the manly husband, 
on whom, as it proved, she was to lean confidingly 
for near half a century, finding every pledge of fidel- 
ity and trust faithfully redeemed. 

For a time after coming to the city Mr. and Mrs. 
Hawkins were often the life of the gay circle, the 
observed of all observers, commanding special ad- 
miration. The cup of worldly pleasure was held 
temptingly to their lips; like many others they 
tasted its full value and found it unsatisfying, leav- 
ing the great want of the soul unmet. 

But these blandishments of a fashionable, worldly 
life were not to last. They were to have a better 
Master, to live for higher, nobler ends. The passing 
years at this period were "years of the right hand of 
the most High. ,, 

The precious revivals pervading the land during 
1830 and onward had reached the great city ; Chris- 
tian minds were tenderly alive to the worth of the 
soul, and constrained by the love that wrought its 
ransom, were everywhere seeking to lead the impeni- 
tent to Christ. The subduing influences of the 
Divine spirit reached their hearts also, and they soon 
took their stand openly on the Lord's side. There 
was no half surrender, no vacillation on the part of 
Mrs Hawkins, but a full, glad committal of her entire 
being to Him who had loved her, and given himself 
for her. 



WROUGHT GOLD. 1 5 

She became an active teacher in the Sabbath- 
school, a faithful Tract Visitor, and an earnest 
Christian worker, in every sphere of duty indicated 
by divine Providence. 

The crowded tenement houses, threaded by her 
from basement to garret, presented many objects of 
compassion appealing for sympathy and aid. In 
her district were found mothers who could not read, 
and who never visited the sanctuary to hear the 
word of life ; children taught by precept and example 
to break all the divine commands, father's besotted, 
improvident, abusive, reckless, from whom their fam- 
ilies often shrank with terror ; youthful daughters, 
once innocent and happy, now "lost in the great 
town ;" lost to parents and friends, lost to virtue and 
lost to God, were among those for whom she labor- 
ed at stated seasons, as the devoted missionary toils 
on heathen ground. 

She studied those sections of the city most marred 
by moral degradation, and learned the approximate 
number of victims sent thence annually to a dis- 
honored grave and the perdition of the ungodly, 
most of whom could say, "No man cared for my 
soul/' and her heart yearned to engage in some more 
effective measures for their rescue. 

About this time she united with an association 
of ladies whose specific object was the reformation 
of the fallen, where for a considerable period, her 
energies were much enlisted. At length certain 
questions arose, during the discussion of which it 
became apparent that such honest differences of views 



16 WROUGHT GOLD. 

existed as to prevent permanent unity of action. 
The one party assumed that in view of certain aspects 
of the work, it was better to do what might be done 
quietly, saying nothing through the press or other- 
wise, the other urged the expediency of saying and 
doing both; of giving words of warning that the 
unwary all abroad might be guarded from threatened 
dangers, and thus prevented from entering the outer 
circles, leading down " to those dread abysses where 
both soul and body die." 

The one party believed it wise to publish a paper, 
judiciously conducted, the other deemed it exceed- 
ingly unwise at that period and protested against 
such measures. At this crisis, after prayerful delibera- 
tion, Mrs. Hawkins and two other ladies resigned 
their connection with this association, and with a few 
others called a meeting soon after, and in May, 1834, 
organized the charity now known as the "American 
Female Guardian Society."* 

A few months later was commenced the issue of 
a periodical, known as "The Advocate of Moral 
Reform," afterward as the "Advocate and Family 
Guardian," to be henceforth the organ of the So.ciety, 
and an exponent of their principles and work. 

* The venerable Mrs. Hastings, while recently paying a loving 
tribute to the memory of the dear departed, remarked that the hand 
of divine Providence was most clearly to be seen in the division 
above named ; as, through its agency there had been for some forty 
years, two — instead of one — most useful associations, both approved 
and blessed, and each performing its legitimate work, in the Master's 
vineyard. 

Truly "His thoughts are not as our thoughts, nor his ways as 
our ways." 



WROUGHT GOLD. 17 

Without experience, without funds, without 
precedents for reference, without an editor, with few 
to encourage, and many to frown upon this doubtful 
undertaking, this little band of Christian sisters went 
forward with unswerving purpose and confiding 
trust. 

Mrs. Hawkins — with one of her associates — 
edited their periodical the first six months, and found 
it a medium of communication with friends and 
helpers of increasing value. 

After this time a more permanent editor was 
secured. The paper henceforward was well sus- 
tained, has now been published over forty years, has 
been widely circulated, and ever considered by its 
many thousand patrons an agency for good. 



" Yet do thy work ; it shall succeed 
In thine or in another's day ; 
And if denied the victor's meed, 

Thou shalt not lack the toiler's pay. 

" Faith shares the future's promise ; Love's 
Self-offering is a triumph won ; 
And each good thought or action moves 

The dark world nearer to the sun." whittier. 



18 "WROUGHT GOLD. 



CHAPTER III. 

Aggressive Efforts in the Work of Reform and Prevention, — Oppo- 
sition. — Prison Labors. — Visits to Sing-Sing Prison. — Measures 
to Secure the Appointment of Matrons in the Tombs. — Re- 
sults. — Sabbath Meetings. 

It was at an early stage of these efforts — in 1834 
and '35 — that the writer first met the subject of this 
sketch. On returning from a Home Missionary 
field in the far West, a lady invited us to a parlor- 
meeting, to be held, as she said, in the worst portion 
of the city. 

On our way thither the object of the meeting 
was explained, and our sympathies enlisted. As 
we entered the room a group were bowed in silence, 
and the sweet, subdued voice of Mrs. Hawkins was 
leading their devotions. Others followed, unsolicit- 
ed, and several present, without hope, exposed, fallen, 
and friendless, were deeply affected. None could 
doubt that the presence of the Holy Spirit was 
there specially manifest. At the close of the ser- 
vices, a pressing invitation from Mrs. Hawkins to 
join this little band in their Christian Work, met a 
ready response. Henceforth our onward paths were 
not divided, and it was ever our privilege to be a 
learner at her side, and enjoy sweet fellowship in a 
common cause. 

In the varied measures adopted by the Society 
during the first stages of its work, Mrs. Hawkins 



WROUGHT GOLD. 19 

was constantly active in supervising, planning, 
watching results, leading the way, and seeing that 
all were at the post of duty. 

In the reception-house — established for those 
professing a wish to reform — she learned from week 
to week the moral and spiritual condition of every 
inmate ; and at the stated meetings for prayer, knew 
how to bear each case to the mercy-seat, also how 
best to appeal to the erring with words of maternal 
counsel. 

The missionary visitors employed, often sought 
her advice in special cases, and after an interview 
with her, usually returned to their work with new 
courage. 

While her heart was filled with pity for the vic- 
tims of vice, and ardently desired their rescue, yet 
the greater work of prevention came to have a still 
larger place in her thoughts and efforts. She re- 
garded the former as secondary and less hopeful, 
the latter as primary and entirely practicable. 

The opposition met from those who felt that, in 
the views and principles advanced by the Society, 
" Thus saying thou reproachest us also," and from a 
better class whose peace was disturbed by the pres- 
entation of Christian duties, from which they would 
fain be excused, was often very painful to the flesh ; 
but it was borne by Mrs. Hawkins with exemplary 
Christian meekness and equanimity. Unmoved 
alike by praise or censure, she went quietly forward, 
as her own way seemed clear, " living by the mo- 
ment," asking, and consciously receiving divine 



20 WROUGHT GOLD. 

guidance. She made herself familiar with the man- 
agement of our almshouses and prisons, and sundry- 
city benevolent associations, and among other ob- 
jects, her attention was specially directed to the 
moral condition of seamen. From facts and statis- 
tics gathered, it was apparent to her mind that this . 
class, when on the land, were exposed to greater 
moral perils than when on the great deep. 

About this time, through her direct agency, a 
Bethel Missionary was employed by the American 
Female Guardian Society, whose time was devoted 
to the moral and spiritual good of seamen, and for 
some years this department was sustained with en- 
couraging results. This labor brought more fully 
before Mrs. Hawkins the wants of the sick, be- 
reaved, and needy families of seamen, and led her 
in process of time to give quite largely her personal 
efforts and influence for their benefit. 

While the question of placing matrons in charge 
in the Tombs and on Blackwell's Island was receiv- 
ing consideration, Mrs. Hawkins visited Sing-Sing, 
to learn by observation the result of this measure 
there. She writes thus : 

"I spent the last Sabbath at Sing-Sing Prison, and have gained 
some useful hints from Mrs. Bard, the excellent matron of the Fe- 
male Department. She has now held this position long enough to 
test the expediency of her appointment. The adoption of this 
measure was a great gain in the work of reform. Mrs. Bard seems 
well adapted to the place, with the spirit of Elizabeth Fry, and the 
moral courage to do her duty. Her Christian labors with the wom- 
en have already resulted in great good. Coarse or profane lan- 
guage is now unheard among them, and their minds are daily di- 
rected to a better life. I think we must not rest till the same meas- 



WROUGHT GOLD. 21 

ure is adopted in the Tombs — separate departments arranged for 
the men and women, and a matron placed in charge of her own sex, 
that both may be protected from influences so baneful as those that 
now meet them daily. I know most of the officers think it an im- 
practicable measure, but it has not proved so at Sing-Sing, and 
many existing facts show its immediate necessity. We must con- 
tinue to press our petitions, and pray that the minds of those in au- 
thority may be turned to the right." 

For many months this matter was urged by me- 
morial, petition, and personal appeal upon the atten- 
tion of the directors of our public institutions, and 
at length an ordinance was passed in response to 
the same ; the two sexes were located in separate 
prisons, and an efficient Christian matron placed in 
charge of the female department. Thus the way 
was opened for Sabbath-meetings, Bible-readings, 
etc., and the opportunity permanently improved. 
The previous desultory visiting, etc., was made 
systematic, and stated services were held weekly, 
to which Mrs. Hawkins devoted much time and 
prayerful consideration. 

This quiet work of the long ago was often fruit- 
ful in results, immediate or remote, and the review 
from our present stand-point shows very clearly 
that the labor thus bestowed was not in vain in the 
Lord. The following incidents — a few of very 
many — will illustrate the prison-work of the period 
to which we have alluded, and the saving influence 
exerted by Mrs. Hawkins in behalf of those whom 
she sought to save. 

We quote from memorandums of the date named. 



22 WROUGHT GOLD. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Misled and Deserted. — A Rescued Family. 

Extracts from Journal, September 13 : 

" Our prison meetings continue to increase our work. So many 
cases occur claiming special attention, and that must not be neg- 
lected. At our usual prayer-meeting at the Tombs this P. M., some 
sixty or seventy were present. All quiet. Many listened atten- 
tively to the reading of the Word of God, and seemed manifestly 
convicted of their sin and danger. 

" It was painful to see mere children among this group of fallen 
women. Some with their wretched mothers ; some arrested because 
found with the vile, made homeless and friendless by the wrong- 
doing of parents — more sinned against than sinning. 

" After the services a sad case was named to us, in which mur- 
der had been purposed, but the attempt failed. The matron con- 
ducted us to the cell of Mrs. W , the poor woman implicated. 

She was lying upon a couch in great mental agony, having taken no 
food or had any sleep since the deed was attempted. 

" ' Will you see two ladies who have called here to attend a 
meeting with the prisoners ?' said the matron, 

'• ' Not if they are religious. Do n't. let them come near me.' 

" ' But they are your friends and will do you good. Do not re- 
pulse them.' 

" Stepping to her side and taking her clenched hand, we said, 

" ' Be calm, Mrs. W ; if you will let us speak to you, you 

may not regret it.' 

"Rolling her eyes wildly she exclaimed, 

" ' Curse him ! curse him ! kill him I will. Nothing shall change 
my purpose. I will send his soul to perdition.' 

" ' But suppose you should do so, you would only destroy your- 
self, for your life would most likely be taken by the law.' 

" * What care I for that ? I want to die ; oh, I want to die ! lie 
deceived me. I thought him a Christian. He took me to church. 
I thought him a guide for soul and body. Away with your religion. 
I will believe nothing in it. I will trust no one any more.' 

" * But, Mrs. W , it is hypocrisy you condemn, not religion. 

One man has deceived you and acted wickedly ; you believe him a 



WROUGHT GOLD. 23 

hypocrite. You have seen counterfeit bills and genuine bills on the 
same bank. You would not cast the good away because some are 
bad ?' 

"'I was always a respectable woman until now, and he has 
made me anything else. I will be revenged on him. The pistol 
has failed me, but I will do the work.' 

" ' Pray do n't talk thus, Mrs. W ; it will be worse for you. 

To-morrow you will be called out for examination, and such lan- 
guage will surely condemn you. Xow just promise us that you 
wont speak so to the magistrate.' 

" 'I will make no such promise. He has taken everything dear 
from me. He has caused me this suffering. He caused the death 
of my child. He was a lion, and I was helpless and in his power. 
He promised marriage and I thought him sincere, and then he cast 
me off. And but yesterday, when I appealed to him, he laughed 
me to scorn. I will be revenged, cost what it may.' 

"The mental agony, apparent during the utterance of these 
expressions, drew tears from several within hearing. She was 
writhing under the 'sickening anguish of despair,' and even* feel- 
ing of the soul seemed concentrated on the one full purpose of 
revenge. 

"The frenzy of passion gleamed from her bloodshot eyes, so 
painful from weeping that she kept them mostly shut from the 
light, while rolling from side to side, and refusing words of kind- 
ness. "When entreated to resist the tempter and look to God, she 
exclaimed, 

" ' Oh, I can't do that. He has left me.' 

"The lesson furnished by this sad scene was most impressive. 

Three days later we saw Mrs. W again. She was more calm, 

and said with an imploring look, 

" ' Oh, tell me what I can do. I believe you are my friends.' 

" ' If we tell you what to do, will you do it ?' 

" 'Yes, anything you say.' 

" ' Well, then, will you promise us no more to threaten or pur- 
pose revenge :' 

" 'Yes,' bursting into tears. 'But he has wronged me so deep- 
ly ; I was reckless. I know it was wrong.' .... 

" Another solemn interview with Mrs. W . Read the Scrip- 
tures and prayed with her, and witnessed some relentings that we 
hope may prove the beginning of true repentance. Saw a friend 
who had known her some years, and who testified to her previous 
good character and respectability. Sabbath : Attended a deeply 



24 WROUGHT GOLD. 

interesting meeting with the prisoners. With two exceptions all 

were attentive. Mrs. W ■ was present, and gives reason for hope 

that time and reflection, with kind treatment, may be instrumental 
in her salvation. We learn that she is a member of a very respect- 
able family. Has had superior advantages ; has a proud, determin- 
ed spirit, consequently her fall, disappointment, and disgrace, pro- 
duced anguish unutterable 

" The case of Mrs. W has been dismissed without coming 

to trial. She has been released from imprisonment, and now seems 
earnestly inquiring what she shall do to be saved." 

In process of time this woman gave evidence of 
a radical change of heart and life, and was truly 
grateful for the faithful efforts of the prison visitors. 

To her it was ever a mystery unsolved, that the 
thief of virtue should be countenanced in respectable 
society, and his victim excluded. 

" Mothers all offer their stainless daughters, 

Men of high honor pronounce him friend — 
Skies ! oh where are your healing waters ? 
World ! oh where will thy wonders end ?" 
A Rescued Family. — "At our meeting to-day three really beau- 
tiful little children, one an infant, were clinging with sad faces to 
an inebriate mother, brought in by the police, partially recovered 
from delirium tremens. The group were objects of pity, especially 
the helpless children. 

" It appeared, on inquiry, the woman was bereaved of her hus- 
band, left with no means of support, and not knowing where to go 
or how to get food, drank to drown her sorrow, and awoke to rea- 
son in the Tombs, realizing more fully than ever her folly and deg- 
radation. She appeared anxious to be saved, was willing to sign 
the pledge, go to a good home in the country with her infant, also 
to give her other children to the visitors to be adopted in Christian 
families. This aid was promised. On the morrow the effort must 
be made to find homes suited to each and all. May our heavenly 
Father guide." 

Sequel. — Within a brief period, worthy parties 
who were made acquainted with this case by corre- 
spondence, were led to obey the whispered words, 



WROUGHT GOLD. 25 

" Take this child and train it for me, and I will pay 
thee thy wages." The solitary were set in families, 
no more to be dragged at midnight within gloomy 
prison walls ; and the. misguided mother, "a wiser 
and a better woman," was living honestly by the 
work of her hands, under protective and saving in- 
fluences. 

Near a quarter of a century had passed, and we 
stood with bereaved friends by the cherished spot 
where they had recently laid, in early womanhood, 
the loved form of one of the trio of little ones above 
named. The " adopted daughter" had died suddenly 
of a prevailing epidemic. But death had no terrors. 
She was represented as having been ever an amia- 
ble, affectionate child, a comfort and a blessing to 
her foster parents. She was an esteemed member 
of the Christian church, loved in life, and mourned 
in death, and had fully rewarded parental care and 
faithfulness. 

Sometime later, among those who had come in 
to visit the Home, the name of her brother was an- 
nounced, as waiting for an interview. As he ap- 
proached us, we recognized the child features of the 
long ago, and the strong resemblance to the departed 
sister. Memory recalled vividly the scene in the 
Tombs, the wrecked family for whom dear Mrs. 
Hawkins labored so assiduously and effectively. 
The mother and infant had long since departed, and 
as we listened to the pleasant life history of this 
young man, in his distant foster home, and in the 
church where he now holds official position, we felt 

2 



26 WROUGHT GOLD. 

that prayer had been answered for tnose two chil- 
dren, and that the " bread cast upon the waters" had 
been found again after many days. 

While with us Mr. visited the Home school- 
rooms, and made an effective address to the chil- 
dren, endeavoring vainly, meantime, to suppress his 
deep emotions. He afterward visited Mrs. Haw- 
kins, in her sick-room, and expressed his manly 
gratitude for what she did for him when a friendless 
child. This visit was a pleasant memory to Mrs. 
Hawkins, mentioned once and again with thanks 
to God for his goodness. 



WROUGHT GOLD. 27 



CHAPTER V. 

Enlarged Work. — Trials of Faith. — Patience in Tribulation. — Oppo- 
sition Overruled. — The Home and its Work. — Visits at Alba- 
ny. — Responsibilities Increased. — Views, Plans, and Aims. 

During the years from 1838 to 1848, inclusive, 
Mrs. Hawkins' personal labors were incessant — 
"without haste, without rest," always at the post of 
duty, not only at our stated meetings, but in a vari- 
ety of outside labors, as occasion occurred. Her 
experience proved a daily comment upon the adage, 
" There is always work, and hands to work withal, 
for those who will." 

The widow, the orphan, the fatherless, friend- 
less, penniless, and homeless, found in her a friend 
in need. In her common-sense, motherly talks with 
the needy and sorrowing, she aimed to inculcate 
self-reliance, living honestly by the work of the 
hands, having the heart in the right place, doing 
and trusting, avoiding the appearance of evil, and 
seeking to be guided only by the Word of God. 

During these years, the work of the Society 
over which she presided was much enlarged ; annu- 
al and semi-annual meetings were held, and well 
sustained by ladies both in New York and other 
sections; and thus the knowledge of the Society 
and its principles and aims were extended. Wom- 
an's duties in her appropriate sphere, as sister, wife, 
and mother, and especially as a disciple of Jesus, 



28 WROUGHT GOLD. 

were prominent themes of discussion at these gath- 
erings, and were ever so presented and impressed as 
to exert a salutary influence. 

The presence of Mrs. Hawkins always gave 
assurance that everything would "be done decently 
and in order." To our inmost hearts her name 
became more and more as a tower of strength, and 
measures devised or advised by her were always 
pursued with confidence. 

The following brief extracts from her letters 
show how simply, how fully her heart was enlisted 
in the work : 

" New York, August, 1842. 

"My Dear Sister Ingraham : . . . Yesterday our Board met, 
and as we bowed before the mercy-seat we felt that Jesus was in 
our midst. You, my dear sister, were not forgotten. I think the 
prayer of faith was offered in your behalf, that the Lord would fill 
your heart with peace and filial trust. I never felt more deeply the 
importance of our work than now. . . . 

"I expect to leave to-day for the northern part of the state; 
shall be gone till September, and perhaps may stay till near the 
time of the semi-annual meeting ; but my attending it will depend 
on what I hear from you. If you go to Oswego county and vicin- 
ity, after conferring with friends, let me know the result, and 
whether you think I could advance our work by spending a few 
days in that section. I am sorry to ask you to write, knowing how 
much you have to do, but shall feel anxious to hear all about mat- 
ters and things as soon as you return, or before. 

" On Friday Mrs. called on me to ask me to recommend 

her to the commissioners as matron at Blackwell's Island. She had 
learned that the commissioners had in contemplation the appoint- 
ment of a matron. It was good news indeed to learn that our peti- 
tion was being taken into consideration. I saw Mr. Todd again on 
Saturday evening, and now have hopes that a matron will soon be 

appointed. The applicant is a member of the church in M street, 

and if her husband is appointed keeper, much needed reforms may 
be expected. I fee.l this a rebuke for my want of faith, and my 
heart utters the silent aspiration, 'Lord, increase my faith.' .... 



WROUGHT GOLD. 29 

"When you write, direct to Fort Covington. God bless you. 
" Truly yours, M. A. HAWKINS." 

" Fort Covington, Sept. 9, '42. 

"My Dear Friend : . . . I have seen your editorial correspond- 
ence in the 'Advocate' of September 1, and rejoice that you have 
found anything encouraging. I feel very much for you, in view of 
our coming meeting, and would try to lighten your burden by being 
present at that time ; but Providence seems to direct otherwise. I 
know 'it is not by might, nor by power,' and though many should 
be absent who have been accustomed to be with you, yet His Spirit 
being there, ail will be well. You have so long tried to walk by 
faith and not by sight, you do not need to be reminded of the words, 
'My grace is sufficient for thee.' 

" I do long to see all our dear band ; united as we are by a three- 
fold cord, which we trust will never be broken, partners alike in 
cares and trials, yet rejoicing in the unchangeableness of our cove- 
nant-keeping God, are we not greatly blessed in being thus drawn 
together ? . . . Love to all our co-workers. 

".Affectionately, M. A. HAWKINS." 

It was during these years that the Society passed 
through sundry trying ordeals, being assailed by 
foes without and foes within, such as plots laid to 
defraud its treasury, mar its work, blight the Chris- 
tian influence of its leaders, divide its counsels, and 
hinder its usefulness. 

Mrs. Haw r kins was greatly tried by these devel- 
opments ; but her beautiful Christian spirit, forbear- 
ance, faith, and hope were an example and stimulus 
to others. The trials endured at this period were 
overruled for good, and needful lessons were im- 
parted that had not else been learned. The band of 
workers were dravm closer to the Rifted Rock, 
nearer to the mercy-seat, and better prepared for 
the enlargement and prosperity soon after given in 
answer to prayer. 



30 WROUGHT GOLD. 

We recollect on one of the darkest days of this 
dark season, in a little circle met for special prayer, 
Mrs. Hawkins read and commented on this Scrip- 
ture with tearful emotion : " Blessed is he that con- 
sidered the poor ; the Lord will deliver him in 
time of trouble." It seemed to come to her afresh, 
as if specially directed by a loving Father ; her 
faith appropriated the promise, and she was com- 
forted. 

The progress of the work was not seriously 
retarded; the circulation of the "Advocate" was 
steadily increased ; the views and principles pro- 
claimed through its pages, its appeals for the young 
and friendless, struck responsive chords in parental 
and Christian hearts ; and united expressions of 
interest, sympathy, and readiness to co-operate, 
gave encouragement to our beloved sister and her 
associates, and they were enabled to tread the 
thorns down and press onward. 

It was during these years that the " Home fot 
the Friendless" the first of its kind ever originated, 
came to have " a local habitation and a name."* In 
the labors necessary to collect funds, prepare plans, 
devise judicious arrangements, enlist extended aid, 
etc., etc., she was instant in season and out of sea- 
son ; and at length, when success crowned the 
■ enterprise, and the top-stone was laid upon the edi- 

* Since that period over twenty similar institutions have been 
founded in different cities of the United States, and are now doing 
each a good work, that in the aggregate must save many that are 
"east out and ready to perish." 



WROUGHT GOLD. 31 

fice, her heart beat, in unison with others, with joy 
unspeakable. 

When preparing our report of this year for pub- 
lication, she came to us with the words of another, 
desiring that the quotation might be introduced as 
the only appropriate expression of the feelings of 
our Board in relation to the erection of the Home : 

" Truly the Lord has built the house, and not we. It is exceed- 
ing great condescension that he has been pleased to use those so 
altogether unworthy of such an honor in this work. To him they 
long to direct the eye — him they desire to be seen in the work. He 
alone is worthy of all honor and glory. Had he not given the en- 
couragement and faith, in dependence upon himself, to commence 
this work, they would never have done so ; let then to God all the 
glory be given, and let none be sinning by taking the least honor to 
themselves, when it is the Lord's house, and not theirs." 

Never shall we forget the joyful, sweet expres- 
sion of her countenance at our first meeting in the 
Committee-room before the house was occupied, and 
but the day previous to its public dedication. Tears 
of gratitude flowed freely during the opening prayer. 
In this little circle, bowed for the first time in that 
upper room, the Home was consecrated to God and 
his poor, with an entirety that left the feeling in the 
secret heart that the work which he had given 
strength and means to accomplish was accepted of 
the Master, that the smiles of his love were upon 
it, and that henceforth his people of every name 
may labor here in unison to save the perishing, and 
lead the homeless to a home in heaven. 

Repeated visits to Albany by Mrs. Hawkins and 
others resulted in securing a favorable consideration 



32 WROUGHT GOLD. 

of the petitions of the Society before the Legisla- 
ture, also in obtaining a charter, indispensable to 
continued success. 

With the completion of the Home edifice, a new 
era was reached, and new facilities acquired for 
enlarged operations. For the class of children so 
long sheltered, in successive groups, in sundry fam- 
ilies of the managers of the Society, there was now 
a temporary abiding-place, known and approved by 
the Christian public, and the number both of adults 
and children seeking its aid became steadily en- 
larged. 

Responsibilities were increased and cases of 
interest multiplied. The remaining debt upon the 
building was to be removed, provision made for a 
large household, which must be well and wisely 
ordered in all things, and without a leading mind to 
plan and guide acceptably, harmony and system 
could not have been achieved. 

The institution had no endowment — held funds 
in no bank but the bank of faith. The previous 
operations of the Society required the same diligent 
supervision as before. Its publications must be 
rightly directed, and made effective ; missionary 
visiting and labors among the widows and fatherless 
must be continued ; the young and tempted guard- 
ed from the snares of the designing and the open 
pitfalls spread for their feet ; while the Home must 
be made an auxiliary to this end to the extent of 
its capacity, and the means furnished. And when 
this was done as far as practicable, we were not to 



WROUGHT GOLD. 33 

stop here — not to circumscribe aggressive action 
when there was so much land to be possessed. 

Mrs. Hawkins, while ever an active leader in 
promoting these special aims, had pressing upon 
her mind at this period the painful truth, 

"The streets of the city are full 
Of poor little perishing souls, 
Who wander away from the light 
To the places that Satan controls." 

" So many" she frequently observed, " unreached 
by any right instruction, moral, mental, or physical ; 
so degraded and left a prey to the spoiler !" 

Her heart yearned to have schools of the right 
type established for these little ones, located near 
the purlieus of vice and crime, amid the tenement 
population, and wherever a suitable opening could 
be found. 

Her views were urged upon her associates, and 
shared fully by most. Her mind was full of work, 
and all opportunities presented were faithfully im- 
proved. 

Could she have then seen the eleven schools 
now in charge of the Society, and the many thou- 
sands they have benefited, her heart would have 
been full of gratitude and praise. 



34 



WROUGHT GOLD. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Continued Labors. — Interest in the Families of Seamen. — Beginning 
of Dark Days. — Herculean Efforts to Overcome Disease. — Spirit 
of Submission. — An Example of Patience, Meekness, Christian 
Love and Fidelity, through Years of Sickness and Helplessness. — 
Letter from Hot Springs, Arkansas. — Labors and Counsels. 

It is but just to say, the enlarged views of the 
claims of Christian benevolence, cherished by Mrs. 
Hawkins, were not allowed to conflict with home 
duties. In her daily plans, these had ever their 
proper place. Her strong sense of right forbade the 
sacrifice of the greater to the less, and the words of 
Solomon were especially applicable in her case, " The 
heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. ,, No 
exactions on the part of Mr. Hawkins presented 
obstacles to the performance of the work to which 
she had been called. On the contrary, his cheerful 
aid and encouragement were often a stimulus with- 
out which her energies might have flagged. The 
maternal character of Mrs. Hawkins was also very 
marked, though not blessed with children of her 
own. During the many years of intimate acquaint- 
ance, prized by the writer as above price, at every 
period, when not boarding, she had in her family one 
or more children to whom she manifested the love 
and care of a true mother. Several of those longest 
in her household, were there impressed with their 
great need of an interest in the Saviour, became 



WROUGHT GOLD. 35 

true converts, and active members of the Christian 
church. One of these, a beloved niece, remained 
with her some ten years, nursing her with filial ten- 
derness and fidelity. Every service that a child 
could have rendered through years of sickness, was 
patiently, cheerfully, lovingly performed ; and when 
at last the tie was sundered, no daughter ever griev- 
ed more sincerely for the loss of an own mother 
beloved and revered. 

We have said before, the sympathies of Mrs. 
Hawkins were enlisted early in behalf of the wid- 
ows and daughters of seamen, many of whom were 
brought to her notice in connection with her min- 
istrations to the sick and suffering; and the fact 
of their great need of the " charity of wages," led 
her to 'feel that they were a class whose claims 
should not be overlooked. After the Home came to 
be well established, with a corps of earnest workers 
who had imbibed much of her spirit, she felt at lib- 
erty to devote more time to other kindred interests, 
and this was among the most prominent in her 
thoughts and efforts. 

A " Mariners Family Industrial Society/' organ- 
ized to supply remunerative employment to the 
destitute female relatives of seamen, was soon after 
struggling for successful existence. She seemed 
called to fill the position of President of this associa- 
tion in addition to other duties, a post of usefulness 
that she still retained acceptably through all her long 
illness. 

The reader will find a brief official tribute to her 



2,6 WROUGHT GOLD. 

memory, with allusions to her work and its results, 
in this department of Christian charity, from the pens 
of the Secretary of this Society and others in a 
subsequent chapter. 

Her time was now more divided than formerly 
between two associations. Still she ever exhibited 
the same uudiminished interest in the American 
Female Guardian Society and its growing work. 
At all its meetings, annual, semi-annual, monthly, 
weekly and special, she was still our leader, always 
on time, and never unprepared to meet personal 
responsibility. 

The last semi-annual meeting Mrs. Hawkins was 
able to attend,, was held at Auburn, September, 1852. 
Soon after her return from this interesting gather- 
ing, she was laid aside by a severe attack of inflam- 
matory rheumatism, complicated with other maladies. 

The most assiduous attentions and skill of the 
best physicians, failed to restore health. Days, 
weeks, months, years of patient endurance, and 
almost superhuman efforts to resist and overcome 
the disease, brought but 

"The sickening pang of hope deferred." 

While able to write Mrs. Hawkins was always a 
prompt correspondent. Had her letters been pre- 
served they would furnish many additional pages of 
special interest to this record. The single note 
here inserted, is all we have been able to reach per- 
taining to her mental exercises during the earlier 
stages of her long illness. 



WROUGHT GOLD. 37 

'Plattsburg, June 21, 1853. 

"My Dear Sister : I received your very kind note before leav- 
ing the city, and should have replied, had I not expected to see you 
again. 

" I appreciate, though most unworthy, the kind attentions and 
expressions received from my many friends, from none more than 
yourself. I could not restrain the tears, as I read your soothing 
words, and thought of many other tokens of love and sympathy. I 
remembered that all this was for Christ's sake, and that none of his 
promises will fail, and was comforted. How precious are the words 
1 For he knoweth that ye have need of all these things.' 

" How soon are ties of business and home sundered. 'Tis best, 
or it would not be thus appointed. 'Here we have no continuing 
city.' Some trials have been mine, but oh, how many blessings still 
remain. I must not dwell upon the trials, I have not sufficient 
strength to meet only by trusting, and that is always best. 

"And now, dear sister, I hope you are better, and that our 
Heavenly Father will soon restore you to your accustomed duties 
and privileges. Oh what a blessing is health ! My dear mother is 
doing all in her power to make me comfortable, and on the whole I 
trust I am making some improvement. I shall look for a letter 
from you soon. 

" As ever affectionately yours, 

"M. A. HAWKINS." 

A letter written in 1855, was penned while riope 
of recovery was still strong, and remedies reliably 
recommended were being tried in her case, often at 
large cost and much personal sacrifice. 

" Hot Springs, Arkansas, June 29, 1855. 
" Dear Sister : Many thanks for the papers and letters that are 

coming from time to time to greet me in this far-off stranger land 

New-Yorkers, with few exceptions, know more of Europe than of 
this secluded state, though one of the Union ; and as to facilities for 
reaching the two places, there is no comparison. The cessation of 
navigation upon the larger rivers makes a journey into the interior 
something to be remembered for years to come, especially where 
steamboats have superseded the necessity of any attention to roads, 
and the energies of the people are expended upon individual specula- 
tions and gambling, which, judging from what comes under my 
observation here, is the case to some extent. 



38 WROUGHT GOLD. 

" This being my first visit to the Southern States, and consequent 
first personal observations of the effects of an institution we have so 
ranch deprecated at the North, I am scarcely prepared to give an 
intelligent opinion, especially as I have not seen anything that might 
be dignified by the name of 'plantation,' if I except some rough 
settlements, observed from the steamer as we passed down the 
Mississippi ; but among effects observable, gambling seems almost 
a necessity for the slave-owner. He is not expected to perform 
manual labor, that occupation is for slaves, and what shall he do 
with time ? He cannot eat, sleep, or ride it all away. Excitement 
must be had. Gambling furnishes it, at home or abroad, on a smaller 
or larger scale. And while the millions toil, the hundreds rush on 
and into perdition. A looker-on, like myself, would almost conclude 
that it was a race, where but one obtained the prize, instead of a 
precipice, that all were aware of, and as they press on, sooner or 
later, were sure to make the fatal leap 

" Of the things I have seen and heard here, I will mention, by 
the way, I have met two families coming South to reside, who have 
taken little girls from the Juvenile Asylum, in New York. You 
will readily infer that both the families and the children were objects 
of uncommon interest to me. This interest was not lessened when 
I inquired of the child about five years old, if she could sing any 
little verses for me, and her foster-mother replied, * She did sing a 
number when she first came to us, but has nearly forgotton them.' 
I then inquired if she could remember the one beginning — 

" ' I think when I read that sweet story of old.' 
' Oh yes ; we used to sing that at Mrs. Luckey's,' her countenance 
lighting up with smiles ; ' yes, the Mission School, did you know 
that ? ' Having assured her I knew that, we were very soon warm 
friends. I learned subsequently this child's mother died in the 
Penitentiary ; her father's whereabouts was unknown. From the 
foregoing, her former associations and surroundings are familiar to 
you ; also the instrumentalities which have rescued her. Now she 
is the adopted and only child of good, plain, substantial people ; her 
wants, both physical and moral, are well attended to, the religious 
training I was not so well satisfied about, for the present at least ; 
but He who has caused this brand to be plucked from the burning 
will not lose sight of it. 

"After meeting these children, there were two things suggested 
to my mind as highly important in our work. One you have already 
anticipated me in at your Annual Meeting — a concert of prayer on 
their behalf— united, persevering prayer, what will it not accomplish ? 



WROUGHT GOLD. 39 

What has it not done already ? Removed mountains ! yes, far more, 
broken in pieces the flinty hearts of men ; taught those who were 
accustomed to do evil, to do well; brought down blessings from 
above, that we shall never estimate till we reach that world where 
we shall know as we are known. Then, dear sisters, let us pray, 
and pray and never faint. 

" The battle ne'er give o'er, 
Until the victory 'a won." 

Saturday night, let our hearts unite in calling for blessings, the 
inestimable one of a renewed heart, for those hapless children of want 
and sorrow. The second suggestion that occurred was, that all the 
little hymns and pieces taught to the children at the Home, Mission 
School, and Juvenile Asylum, etc., should be collected and printed 
in a small volume, to be presented to each child as they leave the 
institution. I presume the other institutions would unite with us in 
the expense. 

" We cannot now estimate the importance of this good seed sown, 
still more of its being retained in the memory. No one being fa- 
miliar with these songs where the children go, they are soon forgotten, 
which would not be the case if the books went with them ; and might 
we not hope the good seed would bear a hundred fold even in the 
households where these little songs had never been heard before. 

" Little Rock derives its name from being the first place where 
rocks or stones are found on the Arkansas River. It is situated 
about 150 miles from its mouth. Thence to the Hot Springs, 
50 miles, is a rough and mountainous district, quite in contrast with 
most of the Northern States. This district is covered with a fine 
growth of Norway pine, mingled with oaks and the usual forest- 
trees that grow with the pine, north. The Hot Springs are formed 
upon the side of, and at the base of a mountain, fifty or more in 
number, and probably not extending more that a quarter of a mile 
in circumference. The town is in a narrow valley, clustering around 
the springs, though extending considerably in length, as the valley 
at that point is not generally more than twenty rods wide. This 
valley continues about three miles, nowhere more than fifty rods 
wide. There are also quite a number of cold mineral springs found 
in this vicinity, mostly containing iron ; but as they have not been 
analyzed, their qualities are but imperfectly known, although some 
of them are considerably used by a certain class of visitors. The 
property, we are told, has severel claimants, and is in law, so that 
every arrangement is but temporary, and on a very primitive scale. 
The buildings are mostly one story high, 50 or 100 feet long, one 



40 WROUGHT GOLD. 

room deep, opening upon a porch ; this latter serves for a hall and 
sitting-room. The buildings are rough clapboarded, whitewashed 
within and without, the floors made of rough boards, and the rest in 
keeping. The springs are one of the great natural curiosities of 
our country ; the water is pure and clear as crystal, and so hot that 
we sip it as we would tea and coffee, and we can take four tumbler- 
fuls in the course of taking a bath, and not feel any unpleasant 
effects from it, nor does it grow unpleasant from longer use ; they 
also use it for several domestic purposes, as washing clothes, etc. 
It is said to contain lime, magnesia, and arsenic, but its properties 
are but impeifectly known. Thus you perceive that everything is in 
its infancy here, and that much remains to be done, both by science 
and industry, to develop the resources of one of the great provisions 
prepared by our beneficent Creator for the afflictive diseases incident 
to the country. I am not prepared, as yet, to speak of the effects of 
the water in my own case, as my disease has been of so long stand- 
ing — time alone can determine results — but I may add, that I am 
so much encouraged that I shall probably remain through the sum- 
mer. The heat is not as intense as in other sections of the South, 
nor is the place subject to the same diseases. The face of the coun- 
try is so much like northern New York, that I scarcely feel myself 
from home. ' The Lord is my Shepherd ' here, as elsewhere. 
" Affectionately yours, 

"M. A. HAWKINS." 

Several months were spent at the Springs, where 
so many invalids had been restored, but with no 
perceptible or lasting benefit. 

To a wide circle of loving friends it was a mat- 
ter of surprise and sorrow that one so useful, so 
adapted to doing good, apparently so necessary to 
the success of sundry departments of Christian 
effort, should be thus afflicted — that it should 

" Be hers to drag for years 
Pain's heavy chain ;" 

and her Christian fortitude, cheerful submission, 
and abiding trust, were no less a marvel to "lookers- 
on." 



WROUGHT GOLD. 41 

As her once-active limbs became more and more 
distorted and stiffened, showing that the outward 
man had too surely begun to perish, it was equally 
apparent that the inward man was being renewed 
day by day. 

Her mental and spiritual vision remained clear, 
and unless under special medical treatment, or suf- 
fering acute pain, she seemed as able and willing 
to give her attention and judicious counsel to the 
several objects for which she had so long labored, as 
when enjoying her former vigor. Indeed, her men- 
tal health remained unimpaired to the last, and this 
was regarded by herself and others, as one of the 
greatest mercies mingled in her cup of sorrow. 



42 WROUGHT GOLD. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Personal Recollections of Mrs. M. A. Hawkins. 

The following testimony by Mrs. C. C. North, 
refers to the period embraced in our last chapter, 
and is in point here : 

" I shall never forget the first time I saw Mrs. Hawkins. In 
the early Fall of 1848 the Tenth Semi-annual meeting of the Ameri- 
can Female Guardian Society was held in Poughkeepsie, where I had 
been spending the summer. On entering the church my attention 
was immediately attracted to. the presiding officer, who with others 
sat in the altar. I thought I had never seen a more complete em- 
bodiment of true womanhood. The dignity and grace with which 
she performed her duties, her pleasant cheerful voice, no less than 
her comely and truly benevolent face, won my admiration, and pro- 
duced an impression which twenty-five years have not effaced. 
How little I then thought that I should be privileged to call that 
noble Christian woman my friend, or that I would live to see her 
comely person distorted by disease and suffering ! On becoming 
a manager of the Society, I was brought in personal contact with 
the object of my admiration, whom I then learned to revere and 
love. Her keenness of perception, her decision, her maturity of 
judgment, were traits so manifest, that none could be associated 
with her, without feeling their influence. Her impartiality inspired 
confidence which w r as never misplaced. How active and energetic 
she was ! How full of plans for the prosecution of this great work 
of saving the young ! Her influence was magnetic and her enthu- 
siasm contagious, acting as an impetus to urge on her fellow-help- 
ers. She was no procrastinator, but planned to execute without 
delay. Amid all it was plain she was a woman of prayer, having 
great faith in it to overcome obstacles. I witnessed the day of 
triumph when the ' Home' was dedicated, and she and her fellow- 
laborers had the desire of their hearts consummated in seeing a 
shelter provided for the homeless. Still there was no time to rest, 
and early and late she labored for the interest of the Society. Alas, 
I witnessed too the gradual giving way of this overtaxed system, 
and as months wore on, one active duty after another delegated to 



WROUGHT GOLD. 43 

others. Thus had I learned dear sister Hawkins when in the order 
of Providence I with my family became an inmate of hers. Here 
in this closer relation I had opportunity to see her in her domestic 
life. Methodical and systematic in her habits, having that rare but 
happy faculty of planning for others, she exercised as discreet 
management of her household as if able to move about at will. She 
manifested a Christian solicitude for the welfare of her servants, 
endeavoring to correct their bad habits, and encouraging them in 
well-doing. Mrs. Hawkins was very fond of children, though never 
blessed with the joys of maternity, she had a warm, motherly heart. 
To many an entertaining story, told in her sweet tones, did my little 
ones listen. Even the infant at her request would be placed on 
her lap to receive her affectionate caresses. Her advice and en- 
couraging words often helped and cheered me in the care of my 
little flock. It was during this winter that the first "Home Indus- 
trial School" was formed, in which Mrs. Hawkins took a lively 
interest, and though it was with great difficulty she could get from 
the carriage to the schoolroom, she would visit it, and speak en- 
couraging words to teacher and children. It was with pain that we 
saw that her lameness and helplessness increased, but with charac- 
teristic fortitude and strong resolution to do everything in her 
power to further restoration to health. In pursuance of this, she 
(in the Spring) made preparations for a journey to the Hot Springs 
of Arkansas, where it was hoped she might find the health so long 
sought. We looked on in wonder at her cheerful calmness, and 
when everything for her comfort that loving hands could prepare 
had been done, and we saw her placed in the carriage to be conveyed 
to the cars, it was with feelings of tender pity, mingled with admi- 
ration for her implicit trust in her Heavenly Father's protection. 
After wearisome months of deprivation, with her disease but little 
alleviated, she was permitted to return to us. Years of suffering 
and patient waiting followed, but they were not years of idleness. 
Though denied the power of locomotion, her active brain and warm 
heart were ever ready to devise benevolent plans for others to exe- 
cute. No one could visit the dear sufferer without learning some- 
thing to make them better. Contrary to the habit of most invalids 
she seldom mentioned her afflictions or if mentioned, quickly 
changed the subject. Her interest for the young was still mani- 
fested, seizing opportunities for words of advice, encouragement, 
&c. The year before her death I went to visit her, accompanied 
by the son who in tender childhood delighted to sit by her side, and 
listen to stories suited to his age, now grown to manhood, and 



44 WROUGHT GOLD. 

about to dedicate himself to the work of the ministry. With what 
tender emotion she talked with him, evincing her deep interest in 
his welfare, and manifesting her own deep religious experience ! 

"On leaving the house, my son said : 'Mother, I thank you for 
bringing me here. The memory of this visit will never be effaced, 
and will do me good for future years.' Doubtless many others 
have left her presence with similar feelings. Nov/, we can no more 
behold her face, nor listen to her sweet voice, but the impress she 
has made on our hearts, and her many words of wisdom will still 
live in our memories, cheering and encouraging us in hours of 
darkness, and inciting us to pursue the path of duty no matter 
what obstacles may obstruct. 

" May we diligently follow her precepts and imitate her worthy 
example, feeling that though her bodily presence is removed, her 
spirit is permitted to be in our midst. 

" E. M. NORTH." 



WROUGHT GOLD. 45 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Remedies Unavailing. — Occupation as an Invalid. — Thirteen Years 
removed from a Carriage to the Home Committee-Room, in a 
Chair. — Interest and Wise Counsels. 

Gradually Mrs. Hawkins lost the use of her 
limbs. The best helps that human skill has provided 
to assist locomotion were made available from 
time to time, and used alternately for successive 
years ; and thus a good degree of physical exercise, 
in the open air and otherwise, was secured. 

On the return of each Wednesday morning, when 
circumstances favored, the strong arms of her hus- 
band, with other aid, bore her to and from the car- 
riage, up the flight of steps to the Home committee- 
room, and placed her gently in her accustomed seat. 
A smile of thanks rewarded their care, and she was 
then — forgetful of self — ready to engage in the du- 
ties of the hour, until four o'clock p. M. when her kind 
escort again appeared, and she was removed from 
the committee-room to the carriage, homeward 
bound. 

For more than thirteen years this item in her 
weekly experience was repeated with few exceptions, 
and was counted by herself and her associates a mu- 
tual privilege. She enjoyed the opening season of 
prayer, and sometimes remarked that in no other 
place had she found habitually such ready access, 
such nearness to the Saviour, as here. 

The company of little ones brought to the Home 



46 WROUGHT GOLD. 

within the preceding week, placed in single file 
about our table at a given hour, that such of their 
antecedents as were needful to be known, to guide 
arrangements for their future, might come to our 
common knowledge, always elicited her maternal 
interest. She said, after seeing them, and knowing 
some particulars, she thought we all knew better 
how to pray for them. 

The smiling or sad faced infants, and other lit- 
tle candidates for adoption, ready perchance for 
stranger homes waiting to receive them, were also 
remembered afterward as they might not have been 
but for thus seeing them face to face just previous 
to their departure. 

Verbal or written reports from our visitors and 
teachers, schools, and publishing department, kept 
her mind so fully posted that she still felt identified 
with the work, and while her presence and words of 
wisdom were encouraging to her associates, she was 
herself diverted and profited. 

She often called attention to the Saturday even- 
ing concert of closet prayer, long observed by the 
Society and its Auxiliaries, and urged its contin- 
uance. She would remark, " You know, my dear 
sisters, the foundation of this work was laid in 
prayer. It has been only in answer to prayer that 
obstacles have been removed, and facilities given to 
go forward. Prayer is our only stronghold. Wheth- 
er I am spared to be with you long or otherwise, I 
do trust you will remember to ' pray without ceas- 
ing,' remembering that here lies your strength, 



WROUGHT GOLD. 47 

" These many children of prayerless mothers, these 
young women that come to us daily without a friend 
or protector, ignorant of the moral dangers that 
surround them, how shall we discharge our duty 
toward all these, except we bear them unitedly to 
the mercy-seat, and do what we can for their im- 
mortal interests ?" 

Could the transcript be given of all her sisterly, 
Christian talks in the committee-room, it would 
form a chapter of no ordinary interest. There was 
in those talks nothing officious or assuming, but 
the simple language of an earnest heart, divinely 
taught, full of love and sympathy ; talks not far- 
fetched, but suggested by the occasion, and so adapt- 
ed to their purpose as to enforce conviction of the 
right 

The diversity of character among applicants, 
beneficiaries and fellow-helpers, the many phases of 
human want and sorrow, the exactions of the sel- 
fish and self-seeking found in the line of this work 
required to be met by a leading mind, equable, far- 
seeing, just; one governed by judgment not feel- 
ing, solicitous always to act as in the sight of the 
Master, never sacrificing the greater to the less, 
but making all decisions with a view to the highest 
good. This capacity and adaptation were accorded 
to our sister by all who had known her longest 
and most intimately. Hence when disease so held 
her in his iron grasp that the future gave little 
promise of improvement, the reluctance to part with 
her valued services was so strong that a change 



48 WROUGHT GOLD. 

was long strenuously opposed, and she still retained 
her official relation, while an acting President was 
appointed to fill her place when absent. 

It was during these years of patient endurance 
and labor that our sister, Mrs. H. Wilson, since then 
for many years Recording Secretary for the American 
Female Guardian Society, was introduced into the 
work. Her reminiscence of this period is beauti- 
fully expressed in the following communication : 

" When first I saw Mrs. Hawkins presiding, as she then did, at 
the meeting of the Board of Home Managers, scarcely an associa- 
tion of disease or suffering was connected with her image. On the 
contrary there was an atmosphere of peculiar serenity and repose 
about her, foreign to all thoughts of sickness and pain. She would 
be seated in her usual place before I entered, and nothing in look, 
tone, or word, drew attention from the business of the day to any- 
thing personal. 

" What then impressed me most, was the calm, clear, impartial 
presentation of any case or question peculiarly demanding the con- 
sideration of the Board. What her own view might be was scarcely 
apparent at first, the matter was so fully presented, the arguments 
on both sides so fairly laid before her hearers — the judgment of 
every individual so sought, and the reasons given so listened to and 
weighed. Only when the time came for her to speak, when her 
own judgment was asked for, as a guidance and help to ours, did 
we realize this impartiality resulted in no indecision of mind upon the 
matter. Viewing both sides fairly, she then came to her conclusions, 
and presented them with a clearness and force which made them 
almost invariably convincing to others. Seeking her, as I then be- 
gan to do, in her own home, for the privilege of more private and 
personal communion, I found the same rare charm pervading all 
her views. I heard her differ in judgment from others. I never 
heard her say ' I cannot conceive how any Christian can think oth- 
erwise,' She always could conceive, she always did see the Ifght 
in which a debated question was looked at by both parties, and 
while her convictions as to what was, for her, the path of duty, 
were clear and unwavering, her earnestness never made her un- 
charitable or unjust to others. She fulfilled, as I think few whom 
I have met ever did, the two difficult rules of the great French 



WROUGHT GOLD. 49 

thinker Pascal. ' In presenting a matter for the judgment of oth- 
ers,' she did not * unduly bias their judgment by her manner of 
presenting it, r but placed it before them, as I have said, with rare 
impartiality, while in an equally rare degree, 'showed to others 
their error by first fairly considering the question from the stand- 
point in which the opposite party viewed it, and candidly admitting 
the truth of all that could justly be alleged from that standpoint. 
Then came her own, calm, clear expression of views and the reasons 
for them, almost always carrying with them conviction of their cor- 
rectness. How often did I long to avail myself of her advice, when 
circumstances perplexed me, or dubious questions of right and 
wrong made me crave a counsellor. 

"One day, at the Home, as I was about to go down to the 
reception-room, I saw a bowed form being borne with evident pain 
up the stairway. How startled I was, when as at last, she looked 
up, I saw the calm, serene face of Mrs. Hawkins. That was a rev- 
elation of physical infirmity for which no intercourse had prepared 
my mind ; for, in the several interviews I had previously enjoyed, I 
had received no intimation of her diseased state. But, alas ! from 
that time, week by week, it became more manifest. For awhile her 
wonderful energy and will triumphed over physical obstacles, till 
at last came the sad conviction that she co-Id no more preside in 
our midst. 

" But the tie grew stronger, not weaker. Who can recall that 
chamber of suffering, and not link the deepest and most hallowed 
influences with the memory of its inmate ? It was wonderful to see 
the unimpaired intellect, the unabated interest in every good word 
and work, but more wonderful still, was the unfailing fortitude and 
resignation with which she bore her own sufferings, and her constant 
thoughtfulness of the feelings of those around her. 

" Of her pains, her anguish, she spoke but little ; but when try 
ing phases of illness, different from her own, were alluded to, how 
touching was her sympathy, and the remark, ' I have often thought 
how thankful I ought to be that my illness was not of that charac- 
ter, that I am spared that trial.' 

" Rejoicing in a few days' recreation for the young relative whose 
loving care soothed so many painful hours, ' She needs the 
change,' she said, ' not only for her physical benefit, but to enable her 
to bear the claim I constantly must make on her sympathies. I 
think it is a great strain to be compelled to witness suffering, often- 
er harder than to bear it' 

" I have said she rarely alluded to her own suffering, and only 
3 



50 WROUGHT GOLD. 

once did her fortitude for a moment leave her, as with trembling 
lips she said, ' I hope groaning is not murmuring.' 

" i He heareth the groaning of his prisoners,' was God's own 
answer from the Word, and instantly her heart responded to its 
soothing influence. 

" Faith and patience never failed. It was something more than 
resignation manifested by her ; it was acquiescence serene and 
trustful, resting with undoubting faith in the wisdom, love, and 
power which chose her lot, and which she knew would keep her to 
the end. 

'" ' I feel that your crown will be very bright,' I could not help one 
day saying to her ; * you have borne more than your share of earth's 
sufferings.' Understanding the feeling which prompted the ex- 
pression, she made no comment on its somewhat dubious form of 
utterance, but smiling, gently answered, ' I do not feel so. I have 
had many helps and blessings others have not.' 

" She was always simple and sincere in her phraseology ; no 
exaggeration of humility, humble as she was. ' How we should 
miss you, if you were gone,' I once exclaimed, as I sought her for 
advice, and found in her room others who had come for the same 
purpose ; ' what should we do without you ?' ' Well, I should be 
sorry not to be missed,' was the answer simply and sweetly given. 
I could dwell long on the theme, but other pens I trust will do 
her fuller justice. Yet how feebly, after all, can words convey an 
adequate idea of her excellence. For the most wondrous thing of 
all, was not aught she said or did, but the serene, calm tone 
and manner which pervaded her life. Every look, every accent, 
was a hymn of faith and love, such as language could not have 
uttered in words, and fell on the ear as no words could have done, 
teaching their lesson of God's grace sustaining his child in the hot- 
test furnace of trial, and keeping her in perfect peace, while she 
with unwavering faith, trusted in him. 

" Her clothing < wrought gold,' 
The Artist — Divine — 
Such vestments shall last, 
When suns cease to shine." 

The following letters indicate the deep interest 
felt by Mrs. Hawkins in the work of the Mariners' 
Family Industrial Society : 



WROUGHT GOLD. 5 1 

" New York, May 25, 1857. 

" My Dear Mrs. Lambert : My heart and my hands are so full, 
I scarcely know where to commence a letter to you after so long a 
time. You are aware by letters from others, that, although my 
name stills stands in the Mariners' Family Industrial Society where 
you left it, I have been able to do but little for it ; that I am still 
quite a helpless invalid. I only get about by being carried in a 
chair or rolled about in my wheel-chair ; but my general health is 
better than when you left, so this spring, having failed in all our 
efforts to persuade Mrs. Loveland to return to the Society, I take 
my place. We have finally made a renewed effort to help forward 
the Society. You will see in our ' Sea-Bird' in what manner as 
regards the store, and our new 'Mariners' House' which is now 
furnished and occupied. We have also employed a lady, a Methodist 
sister, about forty years of age, to be a missionary visitor among 
seamen's families, etc. Y r ou know what the work is, and what we 
are trying to do. There appears to be a very unanimous desire on 
the part of the Board of Managers to advance the interests of the 
Society. 

"It is now believed that the Quarantine property at Staten Island 
will be disposed of by the next Legislature, and Captain Briggs is 
still anxious that we should present our claims for ' Sailors' Rights.' 
He says we must write and tell Mrs. Lambert that she must make 
her arrangements to return to New York by next fall, and we all 
earnestly hope the way will be open for your coming home by that 
time. We still miss you very much. 

" You will see by the daily papers that many reforms are con- 
templated for seamen, and one is begun, stopping the advance pay. 
In view of the premonitory symptoms we must be ready to help on 
the good work, and secure the most we can for those we labor to 
benefit. 

"We still need your head and hands to help us plan and 
execute. Please write me what your prospects are, and how you 
are at present engaged, and what the hope may be of your being able 
to leave California by fall. 

" I have small hope of being any better by fall, and have thought 
these three years I must leave the Society, Yet I am as much 
interested as ever, and I suppose I shall go on till a better one 
appears to take my place. 

"About the time you receive this I presume you will receive a 
package of the 'Sea-Bird.' I hope we shall be able to make it 
attractive and useful to seamen, and it will certainly be a good 



52 WROUGHT GOLD. 

medium of advertising our store. I would like to tell you much 
more, but I have been interrupted by calls all day, and shall have to 
stop for the present. 

" If I can, I will resume my pen again. Write soon. 
''Yours, with much love, 

" M. A. HAWKINS. 

" P. S. Our efforts of late have been made with unusual ease and 
uncommon success. The Lord smiles on our work and encourages 
our hearts." 

" New York, February 15. 1858. 

" Dear Mrs. Lambert : I have just finished the last copy for 
the March number of ' Sea-Bird,' (as I have had to edit it since 
October,) and will try to answer your letters, the latest received three 
weeks since. . 

" I was from home all summer at sundry mineral springs seek- 
ing relief from my infirmities, but rather increased them than other- 
wise. Up to the first of January I scarcely attempted anything but 
what was an absolute necessity, thus letters from all quarters remain- 
ed unanswered and yours among the rest. I have been more com- 
fortable since then, as the cold weather increases my strength, after 
I get accustomed to it, but I suffer at the change of the seasons. I 
have not borne my weight since a year in November, otherwise I am 
much as you last saw me. I still interest myself in both Societies, 
and as yet, notwithstanding my short-comings, neither is willing to 
let me go. At times I have thought I must give up, and have sent 
in my resignation, but have been persuaded to continue, hoping time 
would bring relief. However, the Lord's time is not yet, ' and as all 
things shall work together for good to them that love him,' I am not 
dismayed, although sometimes sadly cast dowm though in general, 
I am sustained far beyond what I could ever have believed possible. 
What we know not now, we shall know hereafter. 

" How different has been your way from what you intended when 
you left New York. You thought you were turning away from So- 
ciety work, but like Jonah the Lord met you, and you must do his 
errand ere you are let go, and now, what wait we for, but to do His 
will, who has gone before to prepare mansions for us and will come 
again to receive us unto his glorious rest ? Oh that we may endure 
to the end, and receive the plaudit, ' Well done, good and faithful 
servants.' 

" Miss C told me some little time ago that she had written 

to you how the business of our Mariners' Family Industrial Society 
prospered. We expect more than heretofore, as we have two prac- 



WROUGHT GOLD. 53 

tical women on the committee. Miss M has had the care of the 

accounts for several years, but has never been able to give time to 

purchasing. Miss G has attended to it the last year, always 

being at the store twice a week and sometimes more. 

"Our missionary seems raised up in the right time for us, 
and though we have to work and trust for the means to carry on our 
various efforts, we are not without witness that our Heavenly Father 
approves. 

" What think you of the ' Sea-Bird' ? Shall we continue it ? It 
does not pay as yet, there has not been much effort made for sub- 
scribers. I am trying to carry out my first idea to make it a word of 
warning and entreaty to reckless youth, somewhat to take the place 
of tracts, which they will not read. Tell me frankly, if you think it 
best to try to continue it. I do hope you will come home before this 
year closes, we miss you so much. 

"A former esteemed fellow-laborer stands still more aloof than 
formerly, does not like our extra efforts the last year. I cannot but 
think she will be brought back, for it is strongly my impression that 
she is folding her talents in a napkin, and the Lord will deal with her 
as a child, for whom he loves he chastens. Her mother died about 

the first of January in an apoplectic fit. You recollect Mrs. D. M 

whom we did not fellowship much' at first. Weil, she has become 
a humble, devoted Christian and has been very active and useful in 

the Society the last two years That last law you obtained has 

w T orked admirably. I do n't know that we should have held together 
till this time but for it. 

" I do not think there will be anything done about the sale of the 
Quarantine property this winter, the Legislature are not doing much 
this session. 

" May our heavenly Father keep and guide you safe home again. 
" Yours affectionately, 

" M. A. HAWKINS." 



54 WROUGHT GOLD. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Gathered Fruits. — Lost and Found. — Early Crowned. — The Child 
of Prayer. — Transformed. — Then and Now. — Acquired Affec- 
tion. — Faithful Care Rewarded. 

" The soul of each poor child a gem, 
Plucked from the fiend — Despair, 
To sparkle in the diadem, 
Thou shalt in glory wear." 

In the preceding pages we have glanced at the 
years of care for the desolate arid friendless, so 
much enlisting the time and efforts of the dear de- 
parted. It may be fitting here to insert a brief 
chapter of " Gathered Fruits," illustrating such 
cases as gave her special satisfaction when she 
could labor no more. 

In our interviews when the well-doing of any of 
our rescued flock was named, she felt that she 
shared "the joy of harvest," but in common with 
others who had contributed to the same end, was 
grateful for all agencies and helps, and more than 
all for the divine blessing, without which no success 
could have been attained. 

From a list of over four thousand names upon 
our Records, we select the few incidents here nar- 
rated, but for local reasons, in most cases, give 
simply the facts, without names or date. 

When the vast company, redeemed through in- 
strumentalities tracing back to answered prayer, 
inspired by Him whose promise foreshadows the 



WROUGHT GOLD. 55 

turning " of the hearts of the fathers to the chil- 
dren," shall be numbered by the recording angel, 
we trust there will be an exceeding great army to 
greet her, and with her to swell the volume of praise 
in the upper temple. 

LOST AND FOUND. 

Among the first infant proteges received at the 
Home as candidates for adoption, were two lovely 
little orphan-girls. The first, less than one year 
old, was rescued from a den of vice and infamy. 
The inmates had obtained her clandestinely from 
a hireling nurse, the purpose of each being ill-got- 
ten gain. To accomplish her rescue and transfer 
her to a safe abiding-place, was a work of some per- 
plexity and toil. 

Never knowing by personal remembrances from 
what dangers she had been saved, her child-life was 
sunny and hopeful, shielded from all moral blight 
in one of the best earthly homes. No parents could 
have been more tenderly attached to a daughter, no 
child more filial and affectionate. Educated by the 
best teachers, mingling in the choicest society from 
her earliest years, she was ever guarded from all un- 
toward influences. 

In early youth she gave her heart to the Saviour, 
united with his people, and was active in doing 
good, as opportunity offered. 

The stated reports sent us of her well-doing 
contained no record, that " dying she might wish to 
blot," and the judicious parental care bestow r ed 
seemed to be most fully rewarded. 



56 WROUGHT GOLD. 

Her character in early womanhood is thus rep- 
resented by those who knew her most intimately : 
" Talented, refined, accomplished, attractive, modest, 
unassuming, industrious, efficient, truly an ornament 
to society, she now presides with dignity in her own 
beautiful home, the honored wife and mother, and 
wherever she moves ^exerts an influence for good. ,, 

The contrast in what she now is, and what she 
"might have been," had she been left as found, 
with those who make merchandise of innocence, 
needs but a thought to inspire grateful memories. 

The second case, a babe of six months, found 
with another hireling nurse, who had drugged her 
by night, and tied her to a hard seat by day, till her 
bony limbs seemed scarce akin to humanity, was 
removed from the wooden chair by loving hands, 
transferred to kind maternal arms and genial nur- 
ture, in due time became healthy and vigorous, 
lived to fill a daughter's place up to mature years, 
making glad the hearts that listened to the moni- 
tion, " Take this child and train it for me, and I 
will pay thee thy wages." 

Now, saved from moral perils through the^ slip- 
pery paths of youth, she is safely protected in her 
own loved home by the chosen companion of her 
life, and able to do for others what has been done 
for her. 

"EARLY CROWNED." 

The home of another child of early sorrow was 
found among the most pitiable class of our tene- 
ment population. Intemperance with its retinue of 



WROUGHT GOLD. 57 

wrongs had long ruled the household, often making 
night hideous, and driving mother and children to 
the street for the protection of the police. At 
length the besotted father met his death by his 
own wrong-doing, leaving for his family no provis- 
ion for their daily bread. B , the eldest, a little 

girl of six years, soon after found shelter in the 
Home, and was transferred thence to the care of 
an excellent Christian family in an adjoining state. 

The mother of B , though coarse, ignorant, 

and degraded, claimed from the first the privilege 
of seeing her child at stated seasons, and from sym- 
pathy with the maternal tie, the promise desired was 
given and duly met. 

The little one improved rapidly under faithful 
nurture, and the contrast between parent and child 
became more and more marked. A second mar- 
riage brought no improvement to the condition of 
the poor family, and the little girl learned to prize 
her pleasant mountain-home all the more, after wit- 
nessing the filth and squalor to which she too had 
been allied, had the chasm between her past and 
present been left unbridged. 

Placed in the best /schools, she prized and im- 
proved her advantages, and took rank with the first 
among the pupils of her age. Beautiful in person, 
attractive in manners, modest and unassuming, 
grateful and obedient, she won the deep affection of 
her foster-parents, and the love of many friends. 
Accustomed to cultivated society, carefully trained 
in the practice of whatsoever things are lovely 

3* 



58 WROUGHT GOLD. 

and of good report, early led by divine grace to 
consecrate herself to Him who had loved her and 
given himself for her, she attained her majority, 
giving promise of a life of special usefulness. 

Her foster-parents, from conscientious motives, 
had taught her to cherish the memory of her ear- 
liest ties, and when of age brought her to the city, 
as promised, to pay a visit to her relatives. By her 
request we accompanied her timid steps to the 
crowded tenement-house, in one of whose narrow, 
pent-up rooms we found her kindred. An intem- 
perate step-father, with several children of both 
sexes, from three to fifteen, living by day and lodg- 
ing by night upon the one floor, the mother strug- 
gling for a scanty subsistence by "going out to 
day's work." No neatness, no conveniences or com- 
forts, but the reverse was apparent, and this was all 
that could offer a welcome to the dutiful returning 
daughter of the long ago. 

" And now ye Ve come to stay with us, and help 
us, have n't ye ?" said the delighted mother. " And 
I Ve a nice young man a waiting to see ye. I Ve 
told him how handsome ye are. Your trunk must 
come right here to-night, and let the lady go home 
and send it." 

Drawing nearer to our side, she declined tear- 
fully the pressing invitation. 

" But, sure, ye '11 come back to-night !" urged 
the mother. " May-be our place looks small, but it 
holds us all, and we want ye with us, now yeVe 
grown up so nice." 



WROUGHT GOLD. 59 

Seeing the dilemma, we gave reasons to the 

mother why B could not remain. When fairly 

beyond the threshold, the child said with breaking 
heart, " Please tell me, what is my duty ?" 

" Dear child," we replied, " God in his great 
mercy has rescued you from this low condition, and 
fitted you for a higher sphere in life. You can pity 
and pray for your kindred, and do all in your power 
for their benefit, but we do not think your Heavenly 
Father requires you to return to such surroundings.'' 

This counsel seemed to relieve her immediate 
perplexity, but before leaving the city she went once 
again to this repulsive spot, gave her testimony to 
the love of Christ, and pointed them to a better life 
here, and the necessity of preparing for a home in 
heaven. 

Soon after returning to the bosom of the dear 
family who had so tenderly reared her, her health 
began to fail. Earthly hopes "seemed shadowed, the 
flush upon her cheek grew brighter from day to 
day, medical skill failed to reach the malady, and at 
length it became apparent that her beautiful char- 
acter was to be fully developed in other worlds than 
this. 

A few months later the following letter was re- 
ceived from her foster-mother, who has herself since 
gone to join her in the home of the redeemed. 

" It becomes my painful duty to announce the 
death of our precious charge, who winged her way 
to the spirit-land on the 7th of this month. I 
have attempted to write you before, but have found 



60 WROUGHT GOLD. 

myself wholly unfitted for the task by long fatigue, 
and sorrow for the early departure of the loved one. 
Truly, she has been a soft, pleasant light in our 
dwelling, in the church, and in the community. 
Beloved in life and sincerely mourned in death, 
notwithstanding we all feel that our loss was her 
eternal gain. . . . She was given to the ladies of the 
Guardian Society, in the fall of 1848, where I be- 
came interested in her, so much so, as to decide to 
take her home with me, within half an hour after I 
first saw her. . . . Though modest and retiring, she 
was remarkably firm in her principles, and had a 
ready and keen perception and discrimination of 
right and wrong in matters of conscience, from 
which no one could induce her to swerve. This 
was particularly the case after she had covenanted 
to be the Lord's. . . . 

" For some time after the first alarming symptoms 
in her case, we hoped she might recover ; but the 
hemorrhage returned. The fatal symptoms ^of con- 
sumption took fast hold of her, and she gradually 
sunk under it, looking it steadily in the face. 

" The night of her death I laid myself down upon 
the sofa; not more than ten minutes had elapsed 
before the dear one called out in a loud and clear 
tone of voice, 'Now, now! Come, come!' I sprang 
to her side, taking her hand and kissing it tenderly, 
inquired, 'What is it, my child?' She looked up 
and called upon the name of God, repeating it louder 
and clearer as if she saw Him of whom she spake. 
She then exclaimed, with a voice sweet as a heaven- 



WROUGHT GOLD. 6l 

toned instrument, and with a countenance indescri- 
bably radiant and beautiful, ' Blessed Jesus ! Precious 
Saviour! more and more I love Him.' Then she 
called upon me to pray — to praise Him. I fell 
upon my knees before her bed, but I could only 
praise the Lord for what I saw and heard. She 
joined right in, repeating my words, and adding, 
1 Glory ! glory !' 

"Then came the death-struggle; looking up 
she broke out in a half whisper, i Angels ! angels ! 
angels ! angels !' fainter and fainter. One short 
breath, without a struggle, and all was still. 

u We kept her until Wednesday ; strange to tell, 
her features still retained the impress of that heav- 
enly vision. All who saw her exclaimed, ' How 
beautiful !' 

" But we had to take the last look. In the spring 
we shall plant lilies of the valley on her grave, and 
soon a suitable monument. Alas, for ourselves, but 
we mourn not as those without hope. 

"C. M. A." 

THE CHILD OF PRAYER.— FROM A VISITOR'S NOTE- 

BOOK. 

At a late hour of a bitter winter night, a mes- 
senger called to ask if two little children of a dying 
mother could be taken at once to the Home. She 
had sent the request because their presence increas- 
ed her suffering, and they were needing the care she 
could no longer give. 

Hastening to the sick-room, we found the 
mother scarce able to speak, but thankful, as she 



62 WROUGHT GOLD. 

said, that we had been sent in answer to her dying 
prayer. She expressed her wish to commit to us 
her little girls between one and four years of age, 
and her felt assurance that her Heavenly Father 
would hear her prayers for them, and those who 
should care for them in her stead. 

Traces of extreme poverty and want marked her 
apartments, but the victory of the Christian faith 
was there, and when the children were placed in our 
arms, and the last kiss impressed, the bitterness of 
death was passed. 

The youngest, well wrapped, was taken directly 
to the institution. The other — because of the in- 
clemency of the night, and lack of clothing — to the 
nearer residence of the visitor. Seeing her chilled 
condition, and being about to place her in a warm 
bed as soon as possible, she said, half reprovingly, 
"But I mus' say my p'ayers fust," and suiting the 
action to the word, knelt quickly, and with folded 
hands, repeated reverently "Our Father," etc., and 
waiting asked, "Now p'ease tell me my own p'ayer 
what my mother tells me." We named sundry 
childlike petitions, such as occurred to mind, to each 
of which she responded, " No, not that," and with 
evident disappointment to herself, the prayer was 
left unsaid. Afterward when one remarked to her, 
"Don't you think that lady was kind to take you 
to her home, when your mother was so sick ?" she 
replied, "Yes, but s'e don't know much, s'e don't 
know my p'ayers ! She tould n't say 'em at all." 

After a few weeks our little C and D 



WROUGHT GOLD. 63 

were both placed in Christian homes, fully meeting 
the largest desires of the departed mother. 

A letter of recent date from the foster parent 
of the elder sister says : " She still goes to school 
having never lost but a few days in her life. Her 
deportment is so correct that her father says she 
was always a natural Christian. She has attended 
revival meetings this spring, and thinks she has 
found the Saviour, and I feel that she gives all the 
evidence I could askr or expect of having passed 
from death unto life. Her tastes all point heaven- 
ward. While she has always prayed, she says she 
prays differently now from what she ever did before. 

" Her last term report marks her average nearly 
one hundred per cent. She is also doing well in 
music." 

TRANSFORMED. 

" It was December, the chill winds were gathering, 
The tempest made haste with fearful alarm, 
On her pale cheek the cold tear was standing, 

Naught that could save a poor child from the storm." 

Among the neglected, forlorn little street chil- 
dren, whose wan faces grow old before their time, 
was one whose sorrow-stricken visage often appeal- 
ed to the sympathy of a faithful co-worker with 
Mrs. Hawkins. Week after week the barefooted, 
bareheaded, half-clad waif was seen upon the same 
beat, unwashed, uncombed, and hair standing erect 
as the garden weeds, and yet there was something 
so winsome about the child, as to make her image 
haunt the observer. 



64 WROUGHT GOLD. 

It was ascertained that the heartless woman 
with whom she lodged, and who claimed kinship, 
sent her out thus from her miserable suburban 
shanty, to beg her daily food. 

The appeal, " Please, ma'am, give me a penny," was 
wrung from her only by extreme hunger, for she 
was naturally retiring, and loathed the life she 
could not shun. 

Months passed, and the mother-heart that now 
closely watched her steps, could find no means of 
rescue. . At length, roaming among wild ivy in the 

outskirts of the city little E became so fearfully 

poisoned, that her unkind care-taker consented to 
resign her to the better care so often proffered. 

The lady whose heart had so long yearned to 
save the child, took her first to her own house, and 
by soap, water, and sundry appliances, tried to make 
her presentable at the Home. But it was almost a 
hopeless task. The hair would stand its own wild 
way. The poisonous infection so marring face and 
arms, made her repulsive to the sight. But she was 
tenderly nursed, and kept partially secluded from 
observation for nearly a year, till healing came, and 
a permanent country home might be solicited with 
some prospect of success. The child was truly 
amiable, and even then evinced characteristics ' 
promising to reward development. 

A most worthy lady, who had adopted other 
children, proposed to take her on trial. Reports 
received from time to time were most favorable. 
At length the pleased guardians requested adoption 



WROUGHT GOLD. 65 

instead of apprenticeship papers, saying, " E has 

so won our affections, that we must give her our 
name, and educate her as our own." Again the 

report is recorded, " E is improving remarkably, 

is all that we could wish, and a great comfort to 
us." 

Suffice it to say, the years of childhood and 

youth have rushed on, and E , an accomplished, 

beloved, and respected Christian young lady, takes 
rank with the best and noblest of her sex. From a 
recent communication from an authentic source, we 

quote a single paragraph. " Mr. H saw E 

a week since, and speaks of her in the highest terms. 
He says she is a very amiable, cultivated, modest 
young lady; has rare musical talents, both vocal and 
instrumental, and has been offered twelve hundred 
dollars per year to sing in one of the city churches." 

"THEN AND NOW." 

At an early hour upon a cold rainy morning, 
our attention was called to three little children, who 
with their inebriate mother had passed the night 
beneath the shelter of neighboring door-steps. The 
mother said "she had no home, and knew not where 
to go. The father was dead, and better for the 
bairns if she 'd gone too, for she was no good." Soon 
the children were sheltered in the Home, and the 
mother cared for by the " City Fathers." 

The little girl, too young to realize the sorrows 
of her early lot, passed a happy childhood in a kind 
foster home, where she was trained for the service 



66 WROUGHT GOLD. 

of the master, and much endeared to her foster 
parents by constant well-doing. 

Through her school course gratifying reports 
were frequently received till she had attained her 
majority, and then we learned that as principal of a 
Western seminary she was earning golden opinions. 
From the last written statement received respecting 
this child of Providence, we quote the following from 
a letter recently received from a clergyman of the 
West : 

" Through the Christian efforts of your Society, 
three little children, two girls and a boy, some 
eighteen years ago, were taken from a scene of sin 
and poverty, and cared for. One of these, the 
youngest girl, was adopted by a lady in Illinois, and 
having been carefully educated, and having become 
a pure-hearted, devoted Christian, I formed her 
acquaintance, and chose her to share my labors, in 
the gospel ministry, a position she fills and adorns. 
Would God I could compensate your excellent Soci- 
ety for the blessings I enjoy through its instrumen- 
tality. ,, 

ACQUIRED AFFECTION. 

It may be of interest to add here a few items, 
illustrating the state of feeling so often evinced by 
foster parents, showing how truly a tie has been 
implanted, akin to parental love ; doubtless formed 
and nurtured by Him who is turning the hearts of 
the fathers to the children for his own wise ends. 

One who has been a faithful co-laborer for many 
years thus writes : 



WROUGHT GOLD. 67 

" I regret that illness has again delayed my letter, 
not only my own illness, but the severe affliction of 
laying away a precious little blessing, lent us three 
months ago, a blessed grandchild of the i Home/ its 
mother, our beloved adopted daughter of twenty- 
two years ago. It has been so sweet to clasp this 
little treasure in arms that were never full of ' baby' 
before, our three children having passed infancy 
before we saw them. This little darling seemed to 
supplement, as it were, his mother's life for us and 
every minute of his short stay blessed us. 

" His poor mother is so desolate, for mother-hood 
had deep root in her nature. 

" Our children improve from day to day. J is 

growing manly and principled against the use of all 
liquors and tobacco. His sister is trying to be a 
good, useful girl and has been a great comfort. We 
would not part with them for a i consideration/ I 
pity the empty homes where the abundant room is 
unfilled by bright, young, blundering, sinning, per- 
plexing, recompensing humanity. 

" It is work to dig and ' pan out* for the gold, but 
how much better the labor with the reward than the 
nothing with it." 

At a later period the following was received from 
the same correspondent : 

" Our first beloved, adopted one, has been again 
bereaved. You may remember her husband, who 
was with her at the Home two years ago last fall. 
He sleeps beside the precious babe so deeply 
mourned by us all. 



68 WROUGHT GOLD. 

" Less than one year has made her a childless 
widow. We are all sorely afflicted. It is good to 
perceive the refining influence of sorrow, borne 
with loving submission to our Father's plans, and 
to see how he strengthens and upholds his ' bruised' 
ones who trust in Him 

" We are still happy in our children, and the three 
grow in love together, as united in one household 
once more. 

" When I think of the comparatively, dry, lonely, 
barren lives ours would have been without our 
Home children, I thank God for the gift of the 
desire to take them, and for the Institution that 
collected them for us. They have brought us care 
and labor, but as .1 recall the amount, it seems no 
great burden, and has, with its results, enriched our 
lives a hundred fold. We may not see all we hoped 
for while training them. Does any parent? but 
enough home-comfort comes to us through them, to 
compensate for the work. 

"If in the great day of reckoning, foster-parents 
are permitted to see their adopted ones made more 
meet for the kingdom of heaven through their 
efforts, how immeasurably great the reward ! What- 
ever may be the result on earth, we know that He 
who loves little children will bless even the cup of 
cold water, bestowed through love of doing his 

work." 

FAITHFUL CARE REWARDED. 

The subject of the following sketch, an orphan 
child of good antecedents, went early to fill a void 



WROUGHT GOLD. 69 

in a home sadly bereaved. Filial and sisterly affec- 
tion made her a sunbeam in the stricken household, 
and through her life was brief, it answered life's 
great end. A letter from the excellent foster-moth- 
er bears this testimony : 

" I write to you in great sorrow. Our Heavenly 
Father has laid his hand very heavily upon us in 
taking away our beloved Jessie. The dear child has 
left us, and our home is very desolate without her. 
My heart and the hearts of my children are torn 
almost as they were fifteen years ago, when God 
took from us our other absent one, to comfort us for 
whose loss, he sent us the precious little one. From 
the day she came to us she has been a treasure. I 
think she has been to us in our love to her, and 
especially in her love to us, as truly a daughter and 
sister as she could have been if God had given her 
to us by birth instead of by adoption. 

" She loved her sister very much, and her sister 
has always been willing to make any sacrifice of her 
own ease and comfort for Jessie's pleasure and good, 
but I think the love she bore her brothers was 
remarkably touching and beautiful. They both 
returned her love, so that the relation between them 
was very pleasant. 

" Her character has always been very beautiful, 
and the suffering she has endured the last year and 
a half seems to us almost to have perfected it. For 
the last four years she has added the graces of a 
Christian life to her natural amiability. 

" On the first Sunday of last December, she was 



70 WROUGHT GOLD. 

laid on her bed by a severe attack of inflammatory 
rheumatism, and for six weeks she could not be 
moved in the least without great pain, and since 
that time she has never stood on her feet. 

" Last Tuesday she was seized with great pain, 
w T hich continued till Thursday noon, when it ceased, 
only to give her time to die. About two o'clock we 
first knew we must soon lose her, and from that 
time till fifteen minutes past five, when she fell 
asleep, she was very quiet and comparatively free 
from pain. During the whole time she was perfectly 
herself, although too weak to speak except in brief 
answers to questions. She seemed* very peaceful, 
expressed love to the Saviour and complete confidence 
in him, took a most affectionate leave of each of us, 
and finally breathed away her life in such a beautiful 
way as to make us almost in love with death. Her 
brother and sister, who were by her, and who had 
never before seen death, have both said they had 
not supposed it possible that a death could be so 
lovely. 

" I have said nothing of the extreme patience 
with which she endured all her sickness and pain, 
so that during the whole time not one murmuring 
word escaped her lips, and we are sure no murmur- 
ing or unresigned thought found lodgment in her 
heart. She has been a constant marvel to us, and 
to all our friends who have known her. Her phy- 
sician has repeatedly expressed his wonder and 
admiration at her endurance. She once said to me 
that she could not bear her pain except as she thought 



WROUGHT GOLD. 71 

of the Saviour, and we know that her patience was 
not from apathy, but from Christian resignation. 

" I would like to tell you many things about her 
that I cannot write. I wish you and all your 
associates could know what a comfort she has been 
to me, and what a companion to her sister and broth- 
ers. If all the dear little ones you send out could be to 
those who take them what she has been to us, you 
would be conferring quite as great a blessing on the 
families where they find a home, as on the little 

ones themselves. 

" Very truly your friend, 

li B. B. H." 

Another writes: "We loved our departed Mary 
as if she had been our own. We took her when she 
was little more than two years of age. I wish now 
that we had one or two more, for in taking this one 
I feel that we have been doing the Lord's work. 
She gave good evidence that God had brought her 
to a knowledge of himself. When she was in health 
she used to say to me, 'I do love Jesus, and I want 
to love him more.' Once she said, 'I'm so glad 
somebody got me who learned me to love Jesus.' 
When praying people called during her sickness, she 
always wanted them to pray with her. After a very 
bad night she said, l Why do n't Jesus come for me ? 
I am not afraid to go with him.' " 

Another : " It is now sixteen years since we took 
a little one from your Home. When I look back to 
the time when I first saw her, took her on my lap, 
and into my heart, and told her she might call me 



72 WROUGHT GOLD 

mother, it seems hardly possible so many years 
have passed, but we have never been sorry she came 
to us. She has been so affectionate, and seemed to 
know no difference between us, and own parents. 
She has now grown into womanhood, is well married 
and gone from us, is we trust a true Christian, and 
will make a good wife and mother. If we may but 
see her in heaven, we shall feel well paid for all our 
care in her behalf." 

Mrs. Hawkins could not but recognize the 
manifest blessing of God in the constantly recurring 
tokens of his favor in cases like the foregoing. 
Grateful emotions were also inspired by the remem- 
brance that, with a few other associates she had 
been permitted to take the first steps in what has 
been appropriately termed "a new departure of 
woman's work." An associated and successful effort 
to save "the children of the needy." An effort since 
widely adopted by kindred institutions throughout 
our entire country. 

Her heart still yearned over the many thousands 
of the innocent and helpless still doomed by the 
political economist to wear the brand of the pauper, 
but she lived to see the time when the question had 
come to have a candid hearing among government 
officials whether the course illustrated by facts cited 
in the last few pages, was not far more wise and 
humane than the common pauper provisions of the 
past century 



WROUGHT GOLD. 73 



CHAPTER X. 

Removal to Brooklyn. — Meetings Continued. — Letter. — Visit to the 
Seaside. — Letter to Mrs. W . 

In July ; 1863, the presence of Mrs. Hawkins in 
the committee-room, is recorded for the last time, 
and henceforward, when able to meet the ladies, 
they were invited to her own sick-room. 

In the spring of 1869 she removed with her fam- 
ily to Brooklyn, a distance of some five miles from 
her New York residence. Owing to her physical 
condition, it seemed a great undertaking to convey 
her thither, and fears were expressed for the result. 
The slow journey, with its weariness and pain, was 
borne with characteristic fortitude. Her arrival 
had been anticipated with tenderest care, and many 
little comforts awaited her in this new home that 
were not to be found in the dwelling she had so 
long occupied. 

Among these she specially prized the outlook 
from her window into a cultivated garden redolent 
with flowers and shrubbery skilfully arranged. Her 
heart was full of praise to the Infinite Giver for his 
sustaining grace, and for these new mercies, and 
before her family separated for the night she pro- 
posed to her husband that they should be called to- 
gether, and that their new, pleasant home should be 
dedicated unitedly, to Him whose kind providence 
had brought them there to dwell. 



74 WROUGHT GOLD. 

Mr. Hawkins then read selections of Scripture, 
such as she suggested, and after dwelling upon the 
divine goodness in suitable remarks, with her own 
voice she led the little group in a prayer of dedica- 
tion for life or death, such as she might well have 
offered had she known that both herself and hus- 
band would pass from that same room a to the 
Christian's home in glory." 

From the period of this removal to the close of 
life, the progress of her maladies was slow but per- 
ceptible. There came at length the helplessness of 
infancy — utter inability to lift a hand to brush away 
a fly, or wipe the falling tear. Still she was dressed 
by her faithful nurse, the niece to whom allusion 
has previously been made, at a given hour, and 
lifted to her chair, where, with books and papers 
properly placed before her, as desired, she enjoyed 
her daily reading, kept posted with regard to cur- 
rent events, met her friends always with the same 
pleasant smile and loving greeting ; while in moments 
of silence and solitude, often to her inner vision, 

" Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood 
Stood dressed in living green." 

There was no complaining, no restiveness, no impa- 
tience. All who called for brief interviews — and 
they were many — felt it good to be there. Con- 
trasting their own continued blessings with her 
privations, their own conscious gratitude and love 
and faith, with what they saw of hers, the heart was 
made better, and they felt that to have seen her and 
heard her testimony, was a valued privilege. 



WROUGHT GOLD. 75 

The excellent band of ladies connected with the 
Mariners' Society, met statedly in her rooms, while 
members of both societies often sought her- coun- 
sel, and imparted their expressions of sympathy and 
interest. For the children of a brother's family, 
much with her, she ever manifested maternal re- 
gard. On the occasion of the death of their mother, 
in the winter of 1873, she w r rites thus, by proxy : 

" My Dear Children : Your letters came yesterday, telling us 
the end of all our anxieties for the dear departed. She has tried to 
serve her Lord, and we know was accepted of him for her dear Re- 
deemer's sake. This is the only plea any of us have to present at 
the mercy-seat : ■ God so loved the world that he gave his only be- 
gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but 
have everlasting life.' 

"There is nothing now that can solace and comfort you but 
God's own Word, and I trust that you will seek out its blessed 
promises, and make them your own, by believing them as never 
before. This is the time to test your trust in God, and know 
whether the heart rests in him, or is only deceiving itself. May 
this affliction be sanctified to us all, and work out the peaceful 

fruits of righteousness 

" Yours evermore, 

" M. A. HAWKINS." 

It had been supposed she could never be moved 
again beyond her home, but to the surprise of all, 
late in the summer of 1873, at the proposal of her 
kind brother, Albon P. Man, Esq., she, with her 
husband, spent some time at Mr. Man's rural re- 
sort at Rockaway, being conveyed thither and re- 
turned, with less inconvenience and suffering than 
had been anticipated. This interlude in the monot- 
ony of years seemed to afford peculiar enjoyment. 
The fine ocean view and fresh sea-breeze, savored 



J6 WROUGHT GOLD. 

of " life from the dead " to the dear invalid, and were 
pleasant in the review for many days, reminders 
of the better country, where 

"No chilling winds nor poisonous breath 
Shall reach the peaceful shore." 

The effect of this journey was somewhat invig- 
orating, but of no permanent benefit. Days came 
and went as before, with no decided change. From 
a letter dictated to an amanuensis, January 8, 1874, 
we quote a brief extract : 

..." My dear husband is in better health this winter than for 
several past seasons, but it is an effort for him to write at evening, 
after writing all day in the office. I have had more trouble than 
usual with my head, but at present am better, except that my right 
limb is more swollen, and at times very painful. We hear from 

C often. . . . Last Sabbath, the first of the year, Rev. Dr. Bud- 

ington came in at five P. M., with the elders and a number of the 
church, and administered the sacrament. We had a very solemn 
and interesting service. 

"They brought the beautiful basket of flowers from the church, 
used for a similar occasion, and it has been a source of pleasure 
thus far during the week, and is not quite faded yet. 

" I am able to read the morning paper nearly every day, by hav- 
ing it turned on the frame before me, and, when not too cold, I am 
drawn into the parlor at four o'clock, to see the multitude as they 
go home from business, and also watch for the coming of my hus- 
band, with expectant eyes, always glad to see him safe home. 

" Our evening diversion is reading, when not interrupted by call- 
ers, which is always pleasant. My husband joins me in love to 

cousin J , yourself, and family. . . . 

" Affectionately yours, 

" M. A. HAWKINS. 



WROUGHT GOLD. 77 



CHAPTER XI. 



Death of Mr. Hawkins. — Premonitions. — Last Days. — Letters of 
Sympathy. 

The second week in February, Mr. Hawkins 
was laid aside from active duties by a severe attack 
of pneumonia. Though very ill, his case was not 
regarded as immediately dangerous. He sought 
his couch as usual in the same room with his be- 
loved companion, and though unable to attend to 
her wants as formerly, he seemed to retain the same 
solicitude that nothing should be neglected. 

On one occasion, after he was supposed too 
weak to bear his weight, unaided, he suddenly 
sprang to her side, with the question, " Did you 
call me, dear? I thought I heard you say Charles/' 
She had not called, but the impression was so vivid, 
that for the moment, he was forgetful of his own 
weakness. 

When at last his physicians decided that his re- 
covery was beyond hope, the fact was withheld for 
the time from Mrs. Hawkins. She had watched 
every symptom, given directions about his medicines, 
and anxiously anticipated a favorable change in the 
disease. But as the Sabbath approached she saw 
with pain the increasing debility, the long intervals 
of stupor, and more labored breathing, but whether 
felt or otherwise, she did not indicate her apprehen- 
sion of the near issue. 

With the departing day he ceased to hear the 



78 WROUGHT GOLD. 

voice, whose faintest whisper he had so long heeded, 
and slept in Jesus. Kind friends who watched the 
last breath so still and peaceful, gave no sign to the 
dear survivor, but with tender delicacy stood be- 
tween her and the departed loved one, carefully- 
diverting her attention, till other hands had gently- 
removed the couch with its silent form through fold- 
ing doors, opened and reclosed so softly as not to 
attract notice. 

Presently she saw the vacant place and the sad 
truth was apparent. 

The blow was sudden and almost stunning, yet 
she was calm in her grief. " It was better," she said, 
" that he should go first ; I could bear the separation 
best. It cannot be long. 'The Lord gave and 
the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be the name 
of the Lord !'" 

Previous to his sickness there were premonitory 
symptoms that she regarded as indicative that her 
own departure was at hand, and these symptoms 
now became more marked. She could retain no 
nourishment, and during the ensuing week was sus- 
tained only by medical prescriptions. Still her 
mind was clear and peaceful, rejoicing in God her 
Saviour. She said to a friend, " I feel assured that 
I am almost home. I have no wish but that the 
will of the Lord be done." She gave directions 
about the disposal of sundry gifts, books, keepsakes, 
etc., and directed that her portrait should be sent to 
the Home for the Friendless, in token of her love 
for the institution and its work. 



WROUGHT GOLD. 79 

Speaking of the death of her husband she said, 
" You know that I have always prayed that I might 
go first. Do not think that my prayer is not an- 
swered. Since we parted I have felt that it was best 
that he should go first. He could not have borne 
the separation*; but I do not feel as if we were 
separated, I shall go to him so soon" 

Some one having expressed regret that Mr. 
Hawkins, was unconscious of his approaching end, 
she said, " Oh, it was best so. It would have been 
so hard for him to have felt that he was going to leave 
me. What care he has taken of me ! I do not 
think there has been one night in more than twenty 
years, that he has not had to get up from once to 
six times — often more — to wait on me. And he 
never complained ; never said, * I am tired ;' l and 
though I have been such an expense, he never mur- 
mured, or said, ' How the money goes/ He would 
not favor himself, and only a few nights before his 
death, he was kept awake for some time by his 
anxiety, lest I was not having all the attention I 
needed. 

" No dying testimony was necessary in his case. 
His life for more than forty years has borne testi- 
mony to his Christian character." 

A friend remarked, " He was a living, not a talk- 
ing Christian. ,, She replied, " That is it. He was 
a living Christian. He made no noise in the world, 
but those who knew him know that he was a 
Christian/' 

On being congratulated on her calmness — she 



80 WROUGHT GOLD. 

said, " Yes, I thank God that he has enabled me to 
be calm and peaceful. I have always been enabled 
to submit quietly to the Master's will. I have never 
had such joyous, exultant experiences as some have, 
but I have had great peace." 

Among her favorite hymns were those com- 
mencing : 

" Dear Jesus, as Thou wilt, 

All shall be well with me." 
" Sweet the moments, rich in blessing, 

Which before the cross I spend." 
" I would not live alway, I ask not to stay." 

" Vital spark of heavenly flame, 
Quit, oh quit this mortal frame." 

But the divine promises, the words of Jesus, as 
spoken to his disciples, seemed best to meet the 
heart-want, and these, with the conscious smile of 
the Lord, were truly " the feast of the soul." 

Amid her severest sufferings, there was appa- 
rent only the sweetest submission. 

The following letters of condolence, with others 
of like import, were received during the week, and 
were gratefully appreciated by the sufferer. When 
scarce able to speak, she twice requested to heai 
these missives reread, and repeated to herself some 
of their words of sympathy. 

LETTERS OF SYMPATHY. 

" My Dear Mrs. Hawkins : That your husband should be taken 
and you left longer on earth was not your expectation. But God 
knows what is best, and he will soon make all plain to us. May 
your heart be filled with his peace and patience unto the coming of 
the Lord. Every day brings us nearer to the glory. We can afford 
to be pilgrims here, with such a home before us. 



WROUGHT GOLD. 8l 

" I am sorry that the exercises to-morrow are at such an hour, 

that I cannot come over. 

"I shall endeavor to see you in a few days." 

" Yours in Jesus, 

"HOWARD CROSBY. 
" New York:, February 23." 

" Monday, a. m., February 23. 
" My Dear Sister: Glancing over the paper this morning, what 
was my grief and amazement to see the announcement of your dear 
husband's death ! As I 've been confined to the house by illness for 
several weeks I had not heard of his indisposition. Personally I feel 
a beloved and highly esteemed friend has been removed from earth, 
but oh, b)lessed confidence, without hearing one word about his last 
moments, I feel assured that he has * died the death of the righteous.' 
I never can forget his love and kindness to me and mine. His 
name has ever been mentioned with love and respect by all our fam- 
ily. His untiring and cheerful devotion to you in your long years 
of illness has often been the theme of admiration among us. What 
an example he has left to us. For you, dear suffering sister, my 
tears flow in sympathy, and yet I know that the world above will 
now have new attractions. Oh, blissful thought ! of union hereafter, 
never to end. While nature must and may weep, grace triumphs 
and rejoices at the thought of our being ' for ever with the Lord.' I 
feel that my glorified children will bid him welcome to the mansions 
of bliss. If in my power I would esteem it a privilege to sit beside 
you to weep and to rejoice, but I dare not risk the exposure. Mr. 
North has gone to Albany, but I hope he will return in time to pay 
the last mark of respect to his esteemed departed friend. I hope 
soon to see some of our sisters from the Home through whom I 
will hear of your welfare. May ' Our Father in Heaven' comfort and 
sustain you amid these trying scenes, is the prayer of yours, 

" In the fellowship of sorrow, 

" E. M. N. 
"7 West 129th street, Harlem." 

"•Montclair, February 28, 1874. 

'• My Dear Afflicted Sister : My heart has deeply sympathized 
with you in this sore bereavement. I was almost paralyzed by the 
intelligence, it came so suddenly and was such a heavy blow, but I 
felt that the dear Lord would be near to sustain and comfort you. 
At first, I thought I must go to you at any hazard, but a little reflec- 
tion showed me how impossible it was, and most fervently did I 
commit you to the care of * Him who tempers the wind to the shorn 
iamb.' 



82 WROUGHT GOLD. 

" I thought I should hear from you directly by my daughter, but 
she learned that the physicians had forbidden your seeing company 
and therefore did not call. I was greatly disappointed as I wished to 
know particularly about you. A letter from New York to-day 
relieves my suspense. How glad I am to learn that you are calm 
and submissive. Oh, my dear sister, there is nothing like being able 
to say from the heart, 'The will of the Lord be done.' It cannot be 
long now before we shall all meet the dear departed on the other 
shore. I was counting over the other day, how many were waiting 
there to welcome us and really there seem to be more ties there than 
here. 

" * Let not your heart be troubled,' my beloved one. The ways of 
our loving Lord are often mysterious, but we may rest in faith know- 
ing that all will be made plain by-and-by. 

"God grant that you may recover from your present illness so 
that we may meet once more ; but perhaps it may not be his will, and 
I certainly ought not to wish to detain you an hour from your man- 
sion and your crown. 

" We may meet sooner than if permitted to meet on earth. I am 
so glad Clara is with you. 

"F and L join in love and sympathy for you both, and 

hope that the promises may be fulfilled to you in all their richness. 

"Husband also sends kindest sympathy. It is through much 
tribulation that we must enter the kingdom, but when once we have 
entered how small will our heaviest trials appear. 

" Yours in a blissful hope, may I not say assitrance, 

"M. S. H." 

" My Dear Mrs. Hawkins : Afflicted friend, assured of the utter 
vanity alone of all human sympathy, yet feel that I cannot forbear 
expressing to you in this new and overwhelming dispensation of 
Divine Providence, the tender solicitude that would ever bear you 
in love and sympathy to the right arm of Infinite strength ; trust- 
ing that as you have been so long borne up above the billows of cease- 
less infirmities, suffering and pain, your eye may still behold the same 
precious Almighty form in love, standing on the topmost height with 
his own outstretched arm to bear you upward and onward, assuring 
you that he will never leave you nor forsake you. And doubtless 
you can say with the Psalmist, ' I am continually with thee, thou hast 
holden me by my right hand, thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, 
and afterwards receive me to glory.' Most blessed faith, God's 
gift, buoying us up above the scenes and trials of earth, so high 
that we can almost catch a glimpse of the eternal hereafter, the great 



WROUGHT GOLD. 83 

white throne, and Him that sitteth thereon — the Lamb slain from 
the foundation of the world, our Saviour and Redeemer, by prom- 
ise and purchase. And may He who will ever temper the wind to r 
the shorn lamb keep you by the presence of his Spirit the ever-bless- 
ed Comforter, is the earnest prayer of your friend and sympathizer, 

"M. A." 

" New York, February 28, 1874. 

"My Dear Afflicted Friend : What can weak, human crea- 
tures say to offer any consolation in such a time of trial as this ? All 
the sympathy of our hearts is all we can offer, and pray our Heavenly 
Father to make ' His grace sufficient for you.' To Him oniy can 
you look, he will comfort and sustain you, and enable you to say, 
* Thy will, not mine, be done.' 

"You have the prayers and sympathy of every sister at the 
Home. 

" If I can do anything for you, or in any way comfort you in your 
great trials, please command me. 

" And may God our Heavenly Father bless and sustain you, and 
when He is done serving Himself with you here on earth, give you 
an abundant entrance in those mansions prepared for you by our 
Saviour, and where your dear departed one is now waiting for you. 

" Oh ! the joy of that meeting, no more pain or anxiety, no more 
sorrow, no more crying, no more waiting, but where all tears shall 
be wiped away, and our redeemed and immortal souls, made pure 
and white through the blood of the Lamb, shall walk the streets of 
the New Jerusalem." 

"May we all be so happy as to meet you there is the prayer of 

your loving friend, 

"J. H. BAYLES. 

" 73 West 46th street." 

" Gone home ! gone home ! he lingers here no longer 
A restless pilgrim, walking painfully, 
With homesick longing, daily growing stronger, 
And yearning visions of the joys to be. 
"Gone home ! gone home ! his earnest, active spirit, 
His very playfulness, his heart of love, 
The heavenly mansion now he doth inherit, 
Which Christ made ready ere he went above. 
" Gone home ! gone home ! the door through which he vanished 
Closed with a jar, and left us here alone ; 
We stand without, in tears, forlorn and banished, 
Longing to follow, where our loved has gone. 



84 WROUGHT GOLD. 

" Gone home ! gone home ! oh, shall I ever reach him, 
See him again, and know him for my own ? 
Will he conduct me to the heavenly teacher, 
And bow beside me, low before his throne. 

" Gone home ! gone home ! O human-hearted Saviour, 
Give me a balm to soothe my heavy woe ; 
And if thou wilt, in tender, pitying favor, 
Hasten the time when I may rise and go." 



WROUGHT GOLD. 85 



CHAPTER XII. 

The Closing Scene and its Lessons. — Testimony. — Parting Mes- 
sages. — Praise. 

On Saturday it was supposed she would not 
survive through the night, but when the Sabbath 
dawned she revived again, and though death was 
doing its work, her perceptions were still clear and 
strong. 

She asked to have the curtain raised, and then, 
for some minutes, gazed earnestly on the outward 
world. A niece said, " Have you thought that this 
is uncle's first Sabbath in heaven ?" " Yes ; and I 
hope it will be mine," was her answer. 

To a friend who sat by her, she said, " I want 

you to thank Mrs. A and Mrs. L , for all 

their kindness to me." 

As the Angel of Death approached, to a friend 
who spoke soothingly, she said with great sweet- 
ness, " When my husband was taken away I seemed 
to fall right into the arms of Jesus, and he is bear- 
ing me gently and safely through the dark waters." 

To one who had been with her much during a 
serious illness some years before, she said, " Do 
you remember that summer that I was so sick, and 
you were here alone with me so much ? I have 
not forgotten it." The reply was, " You taught me 
many useful things that summer." With apparent 
surprise she asked, " I did ?" and when answered 



86 WROUGHT GOLD. 

"Yes; and not only then, but through all our in- 
tercouse, I have been learning useful lessons from 
you," her eye brightened, and she quietly said, " I 
am so glad." She appeared to have no conscious- 
ness that she had been a valuable teacher to all who 
had been privileged to enjoy her society. 

Several nephews and nieces, tenderly beloved, 
were standing near; she desired them to come 
around her bed — " This blessed death-bed" she once 
and again called it. Then, addressing them all as 
her children, she gave in broken accents the most 
touching farewell words ; afterward commended 
some of them to us by name to be remembered 
when she was gone. 

To a beloved niece who for many years filled 
almost a daughter's place, she said, " Darling, you 
will go just as far as you can with me, wont you ?" 
Again : " Clara, dear, dont think of this poor wasted 
form, to be laid away in Woodlawn as your auntie, 
for I shall have risen far above it." 

She dictated sundry messages to absent loved 
ones, and after an interval expressed the wish to be 
left alone with the writer — and now came our last 
interview this side the river. Near forty years had 
passed of cordial Christian fellowship, in sorrow 
and in joy, in a common work. The silent review 
was made here, close on the verge of heaven. "To 
grace alone, be the praise," she said, " for anything 
accomplished; I want you to thank every fellow- 
helper for me — I love them all. Make special men- 
tion of the kindness of the ladies near me here in 



WROUGHT GOLD. 87 

Brooklyn. They have left nothing undone. God 
will reward them." 

In a previous conversation she had said, " I am 
glad we have lived to see the Home work a suc- 
cess. Surely the labor has not been in vain. God 
has owned and blessed it. To his name alone be all 
the praise. The poor instruments could have done 
nothing unaided. My husband was always a great 
help to me. I have had more reason than you can 
know to thank the Lord for his constant aid. 

"Ask the dear sisters of the Committee and 
Board for me to hold on, and go forward without 
ever distrusting, as God gives the means and his 
providence points the way. Do the work for him, 
and not fear to enlarge as opportunity offers. ' The 
time is short/ and whatever can be done should not 
be deferred. ' Pray without ceasing/ " Certain 
measures were named that seemed to her expedient, 
and the precept, " Be thou faithful unto death," 
commended as a daily motto. She alluded now to 
this conversation and its suggestions, saying, " You 
know how to say for me what I feel ;" but she was 
too weak to add more. 

Her last audible utterance to us was, with lifted 
eyes and great emphasis, " Trust in the Lord!' After 
the last effort named, she could speak but little. 
A t parting word sent to an impenitent friend was, 
"Tell him to be a real Christian." When her 
vision became clouded, she twice referred to the 
" myriad flies " she seemed to see above her bed, and 
regret was expressed that they should trouble her. 



88 WROUGHT GOLD. 

"No, they do not trouble me; nothing troubles 
me," she responded. Once she said, half inaudibly, 

" Jesus can make a dying bed 

Feel soft as downy pillows are." 

As night approached she ceased to notice out- 
ward objects, and declined farther attempts to swal- 
low offered stimulants, and though evidently suffer- 
ing, soon became partially unconscious, and a few 
moments after twelve o'clock passed quietly to her 
eternal rest — the conflict finished and the victory 
won. Tears fell unbidden, and hearts were deeply 
moved around the silent form, for human love was 
tender and strong ; but there was joy in her joy, the 
welling up of grateful thanksgiving that her suffer- 
ings were now and for ever exchanged for joy un- 
speakable and full of glory. 

The strong expression of her looks and words 
through the day to the many who lingered lovingly 
at her side, might well be given in the language of 
another, 

" I go to life, and not to death, 

From darkness to life's native sky; 
I go from sickness and from pain 

To health and immortality. 
Let our farewell then be tearless, 

Since I bid farewell to tears ; 
Write this day of my departure, 

Festive in your coming years." 

"The Advocate and Guardian" of March 15, in 
an editorial by Mrs. H. E. Brown, thus gives expres- 
sion to the heart-breathed feeling pervading a wide 
circle of Christian friends, also the record of the 
funeral obsequies. 



WROUGHT GOLD. 89 

PRAISE. 

Not praise of the beloved one just gone from us. We are not 
called in these lines to the eulogy of a character, as perfect, we be- 
lieve, as is ever found below, or to a recital of rare and noble quali- 
ties. Our departed sister, while living, was beyond the desire, as 
now she is beyond the reach of human laudation, and, did we at- 
tempt it, we feel that words would fall far below the portrayal of 
excellences we should wish to describe. 

But praise to Him whose tender love has been so abundantly 
displayed in the precious life which has just gone out from us, it is 
our privilege and duty to offer 

And we thank and praise our Father for the grace which sus- 
tained the dear departed even to the end, and for her blessed release 
from mortal woe. We joy sincerely in her joy, in her rest, in the 
immortal health and vigor which now are hers. It would be sin- 
ful to mourn for one to whom absence from the body is such a gain, 
for one who is so richly prepared to sing the song of the redeemed 
above. 

" Her life-long battle with disease and pain 

And mortal weariness is over now ; 
Youth, health, and comeliness return again, 

The tear has left the cheek, the sweat the brow." 

To-day, therefore, our voice is not one of sadness. We sing — 
we sing of victory, of victory over life and death, and self and sin, 
victory won through the blood of the Lamb, victory glorious, final 
and complete. Thanks be to God who has given it through our 
Lord Jesus Christ. We join her tuneful voice, lifted to-day beyond 
the veil, and amid tears of tender and sacred emotion sing in unison 
with her, " Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him 
that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." 

May her precious example never cease to stimulate us to every 
Christian excellence in character and deed, and while this Society 
has a mission to fulfil, may her name as its first and long-tried 
leader, be a watchword of love and fidelity, of self-sacrifice and 
Christian devotion. 

" Thou God of Love ! beneath thy sheltering wing 
We leave our holy dead, 
To rest in hope! From this world's sufferings 
Her soul has fled! 

" Oh, when our souls are burdened with the weight 
Of life and all its woes, 
Let us remember her, and calmly wait 
For our life's close!" 



90 "WROUGHT GOLD. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Obsequies. — Remarks by Dr. Budington and Dr. Cuyler. — Gath- 
ering at the Home Chapel. — Remarks by Dr. Tyng and Dr. 
Crosby. — Interment at Woodlawn. 

At half-past nine on the morning of Wed- 
nesday, March the 4th, the friends of the deceased 
gathered for brief services at her residence in 
Brooklyn. The rooms were filled, her relatives and 
many personal friends being present, and also the 
ladies of the Mariners' Family Industrial Society. 

Upon the coffin stood several most tasteful floral 
decorations presented by this Society, conspicuous 
among which was a large sheaf of wheat filled in 
with beautiful and fragrant white flowers. This 
had been presented just a week before, on the day 
of Mr. Hawkins' funeral. It was placed upon his 
coffin, and afterward retained by Mrs. Hawkins, 
and set, by her request, near her bed where she 
could see it constantly. The sheaf was refilled 
with fresh flowers for this occasion. Nothing could 
exceed the beauty and appropriateness of the de- 
sign in either case, a " shock of corn in his season" 
being a scriptural symbol of such death. 

Drs. Budington and Cuyler, both of them per- 
sonal friends, conducted the services, which con- 
sisted of the reading of Scripture, Acts 9 ; 32-43, 
and selections from the 21st and 22d chapters of 
Revelation. Remarks and prayer followed by Dr. 
Budington, with remarks by Dr. Cuyler. Two 



WROUGHT GOLD. 91 

verses of " Shall we gather at the river ?" were sung 
by the ladies of the Mariners' Family Industrial 
Society, and the benediction was pronounced. 

The remains, followed by the relatives, other 
friends, and the members of the Association, were 
then removed to the Home Chapel for further exer- 
cises. 

Never was our Home Chapel put to a more 
solemn and impressive use than when it was opened 
for the last tribute to the earthly remains of our 
dear friend and sister. The walls were neatly draped 
in black, and her portrait, giving us the sweet and 
beautiful face of the years . ago, was suspended 
among its folds in the rear of the platform. Seats 
were arranged on one side of the speakers desk 
for the ladies of the Mariners' Family Industrial 
Society, of Brooklyn, and on the other for the Home 
Managers, each society wearing an appropriate 
badge. The Home children occupied their gallery 
at the lower end of the Chapel, and the body of the 
hall was left for the relatives and friends of the 
deceased. Dr. Crosby, for many years her pastor, 
and Dr. Stephen H. Tyng, the venerable chairman 
of our Board of Counselors, were invited to conduct 
the services of the occasion. 

At 12 o'clock the funeral cortege arrived from 
Brooklyn, and the remains of our beloved friend 
were borne into the chapel. On the very spot 
where she had so long presided with her gentle 
dignity and sweetness at the meetings of the socie- 
ty, where, in later years, forgetful of her sufferings, 



92 WROUGHT GOLD. 

she had often been brought in her invalid's chair, 
to lead and join in deliberations of the Board, was 
now placed the casket which contained the precious 
wasted form. But we could almost see the liberated 
spirit hovering above us, clad in immortal vigor, 
smiling in the serene joy of heaven ; and hear the 
words which had so many times fallen from her 
lips, spoken with a new emphasis, " Dear sisters, 
'the sufferings of this present time are not worthy 
to be compared with the glory which shall be re- 
vealed in us/" It seemed as if a jubilant song 
should have burst forth from every mouth, a song 
of triumph and thanksgiving. 

A class of children, selected from the large 
company filling the gallery, began the service with 
a chant, very softly and sweetly sung. 

"Dear as thou wert, and justly dear, 
We will not weep for thee ; 
One thought shall check the rising tear ; 
It is, that thou art free. 

" And thus shall faith's consoling power, 
The tears of love restrain 
Oh, who that saw thy parting hour, 
Could wish thee back again ! 

" Triumphant in the closing eye, 
The hope of glory shone ; 
Joy breathed in thine expiring sigh, 
To think the fight was won. 

" Gently the passing spirit fled, 
Sustained by grace divine : 
Oh, may such grace on me be shed, 
And make my end like thine." 

Dr. Crosby read selections of Scripture, most 
fitting for the occasion, the twenty-third Psalm, the 



WROUGHT GOLD. 93 

narrative of the death and resurrection of Dorcas, 
and the glowing account of the heavenly multitude 
who had come up out of great tribulations, and had 
washed their robes and made them white in the 
blood of the Lamb, as recorded in the fifth of Reve- 
lation. Dr. Tyng followed in a fervent prayer 
which gave expression to the emotions of tenderness 
and praise which were filling every heart. 

Dr. Crosby spoke of the Christian worth and 
usefulness of the deceased from his point of obser- 
vation as her pastor, and Dr. Tyng from a long ac- 
quaintance in connection with the work of this 
Society ; and both expressed themselves in terms 
that to a stranger, might appear extravagant, but to 
which every one who knew her could cordially re- 
spond. It is rarely indeed that human character 
can bear such words of exalted praise as were pro- 
nounced over her, who lay before us in the silence 
of death, but who, if she could have spoken, would 
only have repeated her oft-uttered expression, " I am 
nothing — grace is all." 

What a volume has been opened to us, said Dr. 
Crosby, in her life, of the Lord's reasons for the 
afflicting of his children. We do not fully compre- 
hend the mystic connection between suffering and 
glory ; but every trial is a pathway for the minis- 
try of divine love, which has in view our perfection. 
We can in this light see at least one reason for the 
long and severe bodily affliction laid upon this child 
of God. Her sweet patience, and her earnest Christ- 
ian work, continued to the last under such physi- 



94 WROUGHT GOLD. 

cal difficulties, present a beautiful example to us. 
She has taught us far more than she could have 
done in the vigor of bodily strength. She has been 
a preacher of righteousness all these years, not 
only to us, but to thousands and tens of thousands, 
who have been reached by her influence, through 
those more nearly connected with her. Who that has 
ever known this dear saint of God has not been 
nerved by her example and words, and helped on 
to performance of higher duties ? The church of 
God on earth in her death has experienced a loss. 
We can only pray the head of the church to raise 
up others to follow on after her to know the Lord. 

Dr. Tyng's remarks were equally appropriate 
and pleasant. After an intimate acquaintance with 
the departed in connection with this work for twen- 
ty-eight years, he was prepared to speak as few 
could, and his estimation of her pure and noble 
qualities was expressed in the tenderest manner. 
He felt that a blessing of uncommon value had 
been ours in the acquaintance and association with 
one whose spirit was so like the Masters. 

The services were closed with the sweet hymn, 
" Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep." After the sing- 
ing the children passed down the aisle, and each 
placed a small bouquet of fragrant flowers upon the 
casket. Beside the rich sheaf of wheat before de- 
scribed, the cross, the basket, and the elegant crown, 
with which it was already decorated, their gifts 
seemed small, but they formed a mass of beauty 
and sweetness above the sleeping body, symbolic of 



WROUGHT GOLD. 95 

the love and gratitude heaped upon her memo- 
ry by hundreds and thousands of the little suffering 
ones of earth, who have been blessed through her 
instrumentality. 

The remains were interred in Woodlawn Cem- 
etery, beside the newly-made grave of her hus- 
band. " Lovely and beautiful in their lives, in 
death they were not divided." The floral crown, sur- 
mounted by a star, the gift of the Home ladies, 
was placed above the grave,- between the two 
mounds. A few remarks were made at the grave by 
Rev. S. Angell, who presented one thought con- 
cerning the life-work of our sister which had not 
been before expressed. He alluded to the fact that 
with Mrs. Hawkins and the few Christian women 
associated w r ith her, had originated, by a divine 
prompting, a new departure in Christian work, 
which is now rapidly spreading throughout the land 
and the world, namely, that of the prevention of 
crime and vice, by rescuing and training the chil- 
dren of poverty and neglect. 

Then with a brief prayer we bade farewell to 
the mortal remains of our beloved sister and her 
esteemed companion, thinking of the words of Je- 
sus, " Whosoever liveth and believeth in^me shall 
never die." 

IN MEMORIAM. 

Mr. Hawkins has ever been a faithful friend of 
the Home, and was endeared to us as the devoted 
companion of our honored leader, as well as by his 
own estimable qualities. The following tribute to 



96 WROUGHT GOLD. 

his memory from one of our leading journals, rep- 
resents very truly our own appreciation of his worth : 

" Mr. Charles W. Hawkins, who died at his residence, No. 123 
Lafayette avenue, last evening, Feb. 22d, was an old-time merchant of 
New York. Scores of his business associates, of twenty or thirty 
years since, will remember his kindly and genial greeting, which 
seemed to carry a blessing with it. Many of the poor and destitute 
will not soon forget his generous sympathy and assistance. He 
was too liberal to become rich in this world's goods, but he had an 
overflowing wealth in the love of those who knew him. A friend 
gives this rare tribute to his memory : ' I have known him inti- 
mately for fifty years ; I have seen him under all circumstances — in 
prosperity and adversity ^ I never heard him speak an unkind or 
angry word to any human being, nor speak evil of another, and I 
never heard his integrity questioned." 

His death called forth the unanimous sympathy 
of the Committee, which was deepened by our 
attachment to his beloved companion, and our 
sincere grief in her bereavement ; and at a stated 
meeting, the following resolutions were adopted, 
and entered upon the minutes ; 

"Whereas, during the past week it has pleased our Heavenly 
Father, to remove from earth our esteemed friend and brother, Mr. 
Charles W. Hawkins, long an honored member of our Board of 
Counselors, and, for near fifty years the devoted companion and 
efficient helper of one whose name as President of this Society has 
been as a household word : 

"Resolved, That we tender to our deeply bereaved, greatly afflict- 
ed and long-endeared sister, also to the circle of relatives near and 
distant, our heartfelt sympathies, with the assurance that our united 
aspirations ascend that divine support may be given, this sudden 
bereavement be sanctified, and lead survivors to dwell with new 
interest on the nearness of the rest that remains. 

"Resolved, That we remember gratefully the long-continued ser- 
vices of our departed brother in aid of this Institution — also his ever- 
cheerful, patient, and untiring devotion to one whose remarkable 
sufferings have been thus greatly mitigated — an example of fidelity 
worthy to be cherished as a lasting memorial. 

"Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing be 'forwarded to the be- 
reaved family and published in the Advocate and Guardian" 



* WROUGHT GOLD. 97 

On Sunday, March ist, at midnight, the spirit 
of our dear sister was released. At the age of six- 
ty-six, after twenty-two years of severe suffering, 
she entered into the joy of her Lord. Her funeral, 
at her own request, was announced to take place from 
the Home Chapel, and the time appointed was 
Wednesday, March 4th, at 12 o'clock. No place 
seemed to her so fitting for these services, and it 
will always be to us a pleasant memory, that, from 
this spot, so intimately and sacredly associated with 
her life, she should be borne to the grave. 

On Wednesday, March 4th, the regular monthly 
meeting of Home Managers convened at the usual 
hour in the committee-room. Mrs. North presided, 
but being in very feeble health, was unable to per- 
form her customary duty. The meeting was opened 
with reading and prayer by Mrs. H. E. Brown ; 
and in view of the solemn event of the day, ad- 
journed, after passing the following resolutions : 

" Whereas, we are to look this morning, for the last time, upon 
the precious remains of one whose countenance for so many years 
gave light and gladness and inspiration in our weekly gather- 
ings — one who as our President ever commanded our united confi- 
dence and love, leading us wisely in counsel, going before us and 
with us in every good work, and continuing the same even when 
pain and suffering would have seemed to forbid the effort; one 
whose example of patient, Christian fortitude has ever borne testi- 
mony to the power of sustaining grace ; and 

" Whereas, this Society owes to its first President, Mrs. C. W. 
Hawkins, a debt of gratitude of no common magnitude, 

"Resolved, That in token of respect for her memory, and appre- 
ciation of her remarkable and earnest life-work, we attend her funer- 
al in a body, wearing the usual badge of mourning, and that our 
Institution be draped in black for a period of thirty days. 

" Resolved, That the revered Chairman of our Board of Counselors, 

5 



98 WROUGHT GOLD. 

Rev. Dr. Tyng, be requested to deliver a memorial sermon that shall 
bear testimony to the grace of God as exhibited in the life and 
death of our beloved sister, as early as due arrangements can be 
made for this purpose." 

The following response to the above request was 
duly received. 

" St George's Rectory, March 16, 1874. 
"My dear friends: I shall be glad to bear a testimony to 
Mrs. Hawkins' character and excellence, as you desire, when I may 
be able. 

"The gracious Lord be with you all, and in all your blessed 
work." 

" STEPHEN H. TYNG." 

IN MEMORIAM. 

The memory of the just is blessed. Prov. 10 : 7. 

There is a face within my memory hidden ; 

And often from that innermost retreat, 
Its sweetness, like the sunlight, steals unbidden, 

Laden with teachings gathered at her feet. 

It tells me of a strange, mysterious power 

That can upbuild a soul in life divine, 
While yet the body fades each passing hour ; 

As stars their brightness to the morn resign. 

Of sweet content through years of sore privation, 

Of meek surrender to another's hand, 
Her own denied each loving ministration 

Of woman's succor in the household band. 

Of patience, peace and gentleness abiding, 
Of faith and hope to full assurance grown, 

Of joy's deep well-springs in the spirit hiding, 

"When earth's frail, broken cisterns wide are strown. 

O grace divine ! such miracle revealing ! 

I stand and gaze and wonder evermore ; 
And in my soul's deep sanctuary kneeling, 

I pray again as oft I 've prayed before. 



WROUGHT GOLD. 99 

Come thou to me ! Within my bosom dwelling, 
Make the same marvel of thy love appear ; 

The turbulence of this wild nature quelling, 
In Christ's own peace dissolving every fear. 

So when thy grace hath wrought this earth-born spirit, 

Dear Lord, into the image of thine own, 
Like her translated, may I too inherit 

" The riches of the glory" near thy throne. 

H. E. B. 



100 WROUGHT GOLD. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Tribute of Respect. 

The following tribute to our departed sister is 
from the pen of Mrs. D. W. Fish, Secretary of the 
Mariners' Family Industrial Society, and Mariners' 
Family Asylum of the port of New York. 

"It is with mingled feelings of sadness and joy that we offer a 
tribute of love to the memory of our late beloved first Directress, 
who departed this life on Sabbath, March i, 1874. 

"Mrs. Hawkins was not only one of the originators of this Soci- 
ety, but one of the founders of the Mariners' Family Asylum located 
on Staten Island. She remained our honored President until the 
time of her decease. She was a lady of rare qualifications, of the 
finest sensibilities, the largest philanthropy, and the most devoted 
principles. These led her to seek and befriend those who most 
needed sympathy and were often overlooked in efforts made for 
prominent charities. Her sympathies were largely drawn towards 
seamen, and their destitute families, whose husbands, fathers and 
sons were out upon the great deep or buried beneath its waves. 
This Society, formed thirty years since, was the first of its kind 
known in this country. 

"From this effort grew the Home for Aged Women connected 
with seamen's families, which she saw accomplished after years of 
labor and sacrifice by herself and others, in public and private 
effort. When choosing the site for the Mariners' Family Asylum, 
with a committee of ladies and gentlemen, appointed for that pur- 
pose, from the dampness of the ground she added to a severe cold, 
already contracted in her labors among the poor, which occasioned 
the disease which resulted in her death, after so many years of 
intense suffering. She was however able to be present at the laying 
of the corner-stone, and at the dedication of the Asylum. 

"Although a great sufferer she retained her connection with 
this Institution to the last, and her advice was sought in every 
emergency. Pain did not impair her cheerfulness, or dim the lustre 
of her Christian graces. Our confidence in her was entire, and our 



SiMH;^' 




WROUGHT GOLD. 101 

love more than words can express. We never visited her but we 
felt, not only humbled, but edified and made better. Her warm 
friendship and the free interchange of thought and feeling upon 
various subjects will ever be held in grateful remembrance. We 
rejoice in the victory she has won, and that her freed spirit, re- 
united to that of her beloved husband, is now with the ransomed in 
glory. 

"Memorial services held at the Mariners' Family Asylum, on 
Staten Island, March 9, 1874, were conducted in a quiet manner, by 
the Managers. A few friends were present with the aged inmates. 
The chapel was draped with black, as was also the portrait of the 
deceased, which was hung back of the pulpit. On the table in 
front of the pulpit lay the beautiful cross of white lilies, the gift of 
a friend, and the wreath of white flowers studded with sweet violets 
and forming the words, 'Our President.' 

" The old ladies of the Asylum occupied their accustomed seats 
on the right, quiet and tnoughtful. Mrs. Corning, our esteemed 
second Directress, presided, and read selections from the Scriptures, 
with a brief and feeling address. A favorite hymn of Mrs. Haw- 
kins, 'Jesus lover of my soul,' was sung by request of a dear relative 
present, in which some of the old ladies joined, followed with prayer 
by one of the Managers. The Secretary then read the Memorial and 
Resolutions prepared for the occasion, and afterwards published in 
the New York Evangelist and Advocate and Guardian. 

"The hymn, 'In the Christian's home in glory' was afterwards 
sung, followed by two short addresses and prayer, and the exercises 
were closed with the doxology, ' Praise God from whom all bless- 
ings flow.' As the inmates retired each received a flower from the 
cross and wreath which had lain on the coffin of the loved one. 
These they reverently took to their rooms, and doubtless- when they 
too shall have passed away these faded flowers may be found among 
their simple treasures, preserved as a sacred memento of her who 
had ever been to them a benefactor and friend. 

"Very impressive the occasion seemed to us, for we felt that we 
were in the presence chamber of the blest. A tender and subdued 
feeling rested upon all. It was as though the presence of the Mas- 
ter pervaded the room. The beautiful likeness of our beloved friend 
seemed to breathe, as if tremulous with the life-beat of immortality, 
and the sweet countenance was to us radiant with celestial beauty. 

"Beloved one, we enshrine thy precious memory in our hearts ! 
O Christ, we thank thee for her ! Impress her graces upon our 
souls, and bring us to share with her thy glorv ! " 

D. W. F. 



102 WROUGHT GOLD. 

Near to the throne where seraphs bow, 

By faith oar eyes may see, 
A much-loved form with starry brow, 

From pain and sorrow free. 

For ever at His blessed side, 

Whom we unseen adore ; 
This thought gives joy, though down life's tide 

We see her face no more ! 

We miss her in that " upper room," 

At the sweet hour of prayer ; 
We miss her in her own dear home, 

We miss her everywhere. 

But her immortal spirit still 
Seems hovering o'er our way ; 

And beck'ning with a loving smile, 
To realms of endless day. 

Praise to the grace that held her hand, 

'Mid waters dark and drear ; 
That led her to the better land, 

And banished every fear, 

Praise for the glorious victory given, 

For faith in Christ to save, 
For foretastes of the bliss of heaven, 

For triumph o'er the grave. 



TESTIMONY FROM FRIENDS ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 

Mrs. R. H. Lambert, now residing in California, 
for many years associated with Mrs. Hawkins in the 
Mariners' Family Industrial Society, after hearing 
of her decease, writes thus to a correspondent : 

" I thank you for writing me so much in detail. Everything con- 
nected with the last days of Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins has a special 
interest for me. How much I wish I could have been with you, to 
have shared in caring for them in their last hours. Their work is 
done, and a noble record they have left behind. 

" When I think of those who have passed away from our old 



WROUGHT GOLD. 103 

working ranks, 1 feel sad and lonely. Although far separated from 
them they were a living tie. I felt that I had their sympathy to aid 
me in my work here. As the number of dear fellow-helpers 
diminishes, my affection for those that have gone seems to be 
transferred to the few that still live 

" With regard to Mrs. Hawkins, her whole life, so far as known 
to me, exhibited continued self-sacrifice, and forgetfulness of her 
own comfort. With her, Christian benevolence meant entire con- 
secration to her Master's service. 

" I well remember my first meeting with our dear sister. We had 
convened in the old Mariners' Church in Roosevelt street, to consider 
the subject of organizing an Industrial Society-, for the benefit of the 
families of seamen. There was a wide difference of opinion among 
those present. Man)' that had worked in an Association just closed, 
were in favor of using the funds in hand for the suffering poor. 
Winter was at hand, calls for aid pressing, our experience in Soci- 
ety work limited. We hesitated to commit ourselves to such an 
undertaking, at a point where there did not seem to be any way of 
settling the question. 

"Our departed friend, Mrs. A. C. Loveland, introduced Mrs. 
Hawkins to the meeting. I shall never forget with what quiet 
dignity she came forward to address the meeting. 

" She presented the case in a plain practical manner. The effect 
was like pouring oil upon water. She succeeded in combining the 
elements, and the Society was organized, and she, who had just 
come among us a stranger, was unanimously elected the president, 
an office she continued fo fill until her death. 

"To her patient untiring labor, wise and judicious counsel, more 
than to any other one, the Society is indebted for the good it has 
accomplished. I had the most implicit confidence in her judgment, 
and ever sought her approval before moving in any measure pro- 
posed. 

" When the idea of erecting an Asylum for the aged and infirm 
mothers and daughters of seamen, was suggested to me, I immedi- 
ately laid the plan before Mrs. Hawkins. After thinking a few 
moments, she said, ' We must pray over it. I cannot say anything 
until I have more light.' We then knelt and laid the case before 
our Heavenly Father, and continued until we both obtained an 
evidence that the effort, if undertaken, would prove successful. 
Little did we then know how our faith would be tried, during years 
of labor, before the object was fully accomplished. Her faith never 
faltered, and often sustained me when much discouraged. She 



104 WROUGHT GOLD. 

would often say, * This is the Lord's work and if we do our duty, 
and trust in his strength, we cannot fail.' A more perfect Christian 

character I have never seen 

" R. H. LAMBERT." 



FROM AN EARLY MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN 
FEMALE GUARDIAN SOCIETY. 

"Anaheim, California, April 17, 1874. 

"My Dear Friend : The intelligence of the death of our dear 
friend Mrs. Hawkins, reaches me in my far off home, as a distant 
knell ; and yet there was music in the sound, for it told of a glad 
soul released from suffering and sorrow, and at rest with God. 

" To me in all the long years in which I was associated with Mrs. 
Hawkins in the work of Moral Reform, in the Home, and in the 
Mariners' Family Industrial Society, she seemed ever a model of 
Christian loveliness. She combined in an eminent degree, the wise 
counsellor, the judicious adviser, and the meek follower of Him who 
was given as our example, that we might walk in his steps. I have 
no letters of hers, as our correspondence was limited to matters of 
business, and consequently letters were not preserved. 

" In my present state of greatly impaired health, her example of 
patient suffering, has often come to me inspiring faith and courage 
to hold fast my confidence in Him who never failed her, and who 
having loved his own, I know loves them unto the end. 

"She must have drained the bitterest drop from the cup of 
earthly suffering when her husband was taken from her, he whose 
life, for so many years, was almost solely given to her care and 
comfort. What a glad meeting that must have been when so soon 
at heaven's gate they were reunited. How were all past sorrows 
forgotten, wiped out for ever in that moment of seraphic joy. 

" God make our lives more pure and self-sacrificing through the 
influence of this dear sister's life; and our death like hers, a ' fall- 
ing into the arms of Jesus.' 

" With loving remembrance of all the dear sisters with whom I 
have labored and prayed in years past, and whom I hope to meet in 
the home of the blessed, where Jesus our forerunner has gone, 

" I am affectionately, 

"CM. SAXTON." 

An intimate associate of Mrs. Hawkins in the 
Mariners' Family Industrial Society writes : 



WROUGHT GOLD. 105 

" Dear Madam : I am very glad that you have it in contempla- 
tion to publish reminiscences of our dear sister Hawkins. 

" Surely a record of her holy and useful life, of her patient 
submission to sufferings such as fall to the lot of few, and of her 
triumphant death, cannot fail to benefit those who may read it. You 
ask for some reminiscences of my intercourse with our departed 
friend. 

" My acquaintance with her has been long and intimate. I first 
met Mrs. Hawkins in 1847. I n 1848, at her urgent request I accept- 
ed an official position on the Board of Managers of the Mariners' 
Family Industrial Society, which brought me into intimate relations 
with her. My position for several years was one of responsibility, 
and I felt that I could not have performed its duties, had I not had 
her constant advice and sympathy. 

"I never undertook anything of importance for the Society 
without consulting with her, and always felt safe w T hen following her 
advice. Sometimes when I felt that the course which I had pursued 
did not meet the approval of some of our associates, in that my 
motives were misjudged, her kind, decided, ' You have done just 
right, my dear,' quieted all my fears. 

"Her approbation always gave me strength, such confidence 
had I in her judgment. She always seemed to see the bear- 
ing of any measure as it were intuitively. If she did not see a 
thing clearly when presented she would say, 'I cannot give an 
opinion till I have more light' and then she would seek divine guid- 
ance. 

" The last five years it has been my privilege to be much with 
her under varying circumstances, and sometimes such as were very 
trying. 

"But through every trial her Christian character has shone 
brighter and brighter. 

"Soon after their removal to Brooklyn, Mr. Hawkins w r as pros- 
trated by a severe illness. She felt much alarmed in regard to him, 
and sent for me saying, ' I know not what the result of this attack 
will be. There must be a change soon, for he cannot bear this dis- 
tress long. I have only yotmg people in the house, and felt that I 
wanted some one of experience to-day.' But though her fears were 
thus excited in regard to her husband she maintained her usual 
equanimity, calmly giving directions as to household matters, while 
it was evident that she felt his suffering keenly. But it pleased the 
Lord to restore him. 

" Soon after this she was herself attacked by a severe sickness, 
5* 



106 WROUGHT GOLD. 

and for many days she thonght her end was near. Her sufferings 
were intense, yet she manifested the same submission to, and trust 
in the Saviour that she had ever done. 

" There was no shrinking from death, while there was a willing- 
ness to live, and suffer longer if such were the Father's will. 

" I think she was the most uuselfish person I ever knew. 

" She said to me once, after having, in reply to a direct ques- 
tion, spoken of her sufferings, which were at that time very severe, 
' I do not want to tire my friends with a history of my aches and 
pains. I think it is not pleasant for them to hear, and so, when 
any one asks how I am, I generally say about so so.' 

But while so fearful of annoying others, she was ever ready, 
with her sympathy and advice, to aid those who were in trouble. 

The poor ever found in her a true friend. Said a poor laun- 
dress, on being told, 'Mrs. Hawkins is dead,' 'Indade, and is that 
good lady gone ? Shure and it 's straight to heaven she 's gone. 
But it 's the kind lady she was. Did n't she call me into her own 
room one day and ask al'l about my roomatiz and then give me a 
bottle of medicine for it that cost her two dollars ? And I wish I 
was as sure of going right to heaven as I am that that dear lady 
has gone there !' 

" Similar testimonials are heard from many others. Truly the 
lament of the poor hath pronounced her eulogy. 

" In a character in which all the Christian graces shone so 
brightly, it is difficult to select any one as prominent. 

"Her whole life has been to her friends a lesson of faith in 
God. Her example was beyond price. Her counsels, wise and 
precious, are indelibly stamped on the hearts of her friends. 

" Her smile was a benediction. 

"That all those who shared her labors, and enjoyed her friend- 
ship here, may be permitted to meet her again, arrayed in her 
white robe, and star-decked crown, is the prayer of 

" Yours truly, 

"M. E. perry; 



WROUGHT GOLD. 107 

CHAPTER XV. 

Detached Sayings and Incidents, etc. 

" You find me in the old chair still. Well I shall 
sit here a little longer, and some day probably drop 
away while sitting here, and it will not be long. I 
care not how soon. 

" I have often found great comfort in the promise, 
' Blessed is he that considereth the poor/ If I 
cannot do much for them, my Heavenly Father knows 
that I think of them, and try to plan for their good." 

An intimate associate writes thus : u How often 
have I gone to Mrs. Hawkins with my heart burden- 
ed with our mutual work. After she had listened to 
what I had to say, she would look up with that 
beautiful expression peculiar to herself and say, 
' Dear sister, you have done all you could ; now leave 
it in the hands of the Lord ; it will all be right." 

Two years since part of the labor of the Mar- 
iners' Family Industrial Society was given up for a 
season, the out-door poor, that part in which our 
sister delighted jiiost to labor. I called to see her 
on the subject, as I knew it would come before the 
Board at our next meeting. You know how it would 
trouble her, for the poor and sorrowful were her 
special care. After hearing me, she said, with tears 
streaming down her cheeks : 

"Sister Corning, the Mariners' Home grew out 
of the Society, and that was formed for the poor, and 
can they think of giving up the poor? Oh, if they 



108 WROUGHT GOLD. 

could only have stronger faith that God would pro- 
vide the means. If they do cast off the poor, the 
Society will not prosper." 

Our dear sister has taught me many lessons of 
faith and trust in our Heavenly Father which will 
never be forgotten. 

After a severe illness, from which she supposed 
she might not recover, she said : 

" I have not that dread of death that many have. 

"We have a lot in Woodlawn where I shall be 
laid. It adjoins the Home lot. My life work has 
been among the poor, and it seems proper that I 
should be laid to rest with them when my work is 
done. 

"I want no parade made at my funeral. There 
is but one thing that I care anything about with 
regard to my body. I don't like to think that hired 
stranger hands will prepare it for burial. I would 
rather this should be done by those I love, and by 
those who would do it from love/' 

(This wish was gratified in accordance with a 
promise then made.) 

" I used to feel that it was wrong to groan, or to 
weep when in pain. I do not think so now. It is a 
relief sometimes when suffering severely to groan, 
and sometimes I indulge in a good cry. I have taxed 
my nervous system for years to keep back every 
outward sign of pain, but since I have found the 
relief of occasional groans I do not try always to 
restrain them. I do not think it is displeasing to 
God." 



WROUGHT GOLD. 109 

" How long, dear Saviour, oh how long." 

" I am here yet. I don't know what I am spared 
for, but our Father knows, and he does all things 
well. 'Tis sweet to lie passive in his hands." 

"Do you think the Saviour requires me to be 
joyful? I am contented and happy. But I cannot 
be joyful. I am glad you don't think it is required 
of me." 

On being asked a question relative to something 
that had perplexed her, she said : 

" I have laid it before our Heavenly Father and 
left it there." - 

To a friend who had been telling her some of 
her troubles, saying, 

"It seems as if everybody takes advantage of 
widows," she said : 

" My dear, do n't you know that God has a special 
care over widows ? Did it never occur to you that 
there are more promises in the Bible for widows than 
for any other class of persons ?" 

To another, " Have you not cast that burden on 
the Lord? Then why are you trying to carry it? 
Do you not insult the Saviour by so doing ? Jesus 
does not want any help in bearing our burdens, only 
that we should trust him." 

To her niece, " Never meet trouble half-way. It 
comes fast enough. 

" Never cross a bridge till you come to it. 
"My child if you want a thing well done, do it 
yourself. Don't leave it to others." 

Referring to her husband's death : " You do n't 



IIO WROUGHT GOLD. 

know, Clara, how thankful I am that it was the still 
small voice that came for him. 

" Never feel lonely, my child, or think that I am 
far from you when I am gone, for I shall always 
hover round you, if permitted, and you know it says 
in God's word, ' Are they not all ministering spir- 
its ?' 

" Live near the Lord. He will be a better friend 
to you than I could have been. Accept any field of 
labor where the voice of duty calls, however self- 
denying or repulsive. 

" Cultivate Christian fellowship with any who 
have truly the spirit of Christ, without regard to 
denominational differences. In the two Societies, 
where I have given so much time and effort, secta- 
rianism has had no place. Names are comparatively 
nothing, the spirit of Christ is everything? 

At one time after a season of quiet repose, she 
remarked, " Clara dear, I want you to read to me 
i My Sheaves ;' some of the stanzas have come to me 
with such a freshness this morning that I would 
like to hear them read." 

" The time for toil has passed, and night has come 
The last and saddest of the harvest eves ; 
Worn out with labor long and wearisome, 
Drooping and faint, the reapers hasten home, 
Each laden with his sheaves. 

" Last of the laborers, thy feet I gain, 

Lord of the harvest ! and my spirit grieves 

That I am burdened, not so much with grain, 

As with a heaviness of heart and brain. 
Master, behold my sheaves ! 



WROUGHT GOLD. Ill 

" Few, light and worthless, yet their trifling weight 
Through all my frame a weary aching leaves ; 
For long I struggled with my hopeless fate. 
And stayed and toiled till it was dark and late, 
Yet these are all my sheaves. 

" Full well I know I have more tares than wheat, 

Brambles and flowers, dry stalks and withered leaves ; 

Wherefore I blush and weep, as at thy feet, 

I kneel down reverently and repeat, 
Master, behold my sheaves ! 

" I know these blossoms, clustering heavily, 
With evening dew upon their folded leaves, 

Can claim no value or utility ; 

Therefore shall fragrancy and beauty be 
The glory of my sheaves. 

"So do I gather strength and hope anew; 

For well I know thy patient love perceives, 
Not what I did, but what I strove to do, 
And though the full ripe ears be sadly few, 

Thou wilt accept my sheaves." 

At another time narrating an instance where 
special good had resulted from united labor, Mrs. 
Hawkins remarked: "This illustrates what I have 
been dwelling upon lately in my thoughts, that in 
many cases the Lord employs numerous and varied 
agencies to complete a work. In regard to this child 
I was led to do so and so, another did something 
else, a third carried on the work yet farther, and a 
fourth brought it to completion. I think it is not 
often given to one to accomplish the whole of any 
great thing, but to many to help. One soweth and 
another reapeth. Our Home work, from the begin- 
ning, has been that of many striving together ; some 
planning, others toiling, some giving, and many 
hidden ones praying. We cannot tell on which part 



112 WROUGHT GOLD. 

God has bestowed most abundant honor, but the 
excellency of the power is all of him. 

" And she always desired that all, however hum- 
ble had been their share in the work, should be 
recognized ; that no single person should arrogate to 
themselves the glory, to the exclusion of their less 
noticed fellow-laborers. She often said the silent 
ones did as much by their silent influence and their 
prayers as those who made more noise and show in 
the work. 

"When called to do anything for the Lord, 
never say, i I can't do it/ Do the best you can, 
and leave it with him." 

• A young friend, to whom ^he was strongly at- 
tached, thinking to amuse her, related the circum- 
stances of a fashionable sociable, which she had 
attended the previous evening. 

Mrs. Hawkins listened to the recital, and as the 
names of some of the party were mentioned and 
some of the petty rivalries which formed a part of 
the amusements were described, her eyes filled with 
tears. When the young lady ceased, she asked in 
quiet but earnest tones, " Were not those persons 
professors of religion ?" 

" Why yes," was the answer ; " but we did n't do 
anything wrong, only had a good time." 

" But," she responded, "I can't see how Chris- 
tians can enjoy such things. It does not seem to 
me a proper way to spend their time." 

Some further conversation was had upon the 
subject, when she said, " Well, you must excuse me 



WROUGHT GOLD. 113 

I am no longer young, and such things as you were 
relating, struck me as inconsistent with a Christian 
profession, and / could not help speaking!' 

She afterwards said, " is a good girl. I 

do n't know but I offended her by speaking as I did, 
but it seems to me so wrong for Christians to spend 
their time in such amusements that I had to speak. 
Oh, it is so sad to think how many young Chris- 
tians live in these days. 

" My dear sister, you and I have lost nothing by 
giving up parties, fashionable calls, etc., and the 
round of claims that engross so much of the time 
of many of our acquaintance. We have had the 
truest enjoyment in our chosen field, with all its 
toils and cares. We have found more real satisfac- 
tion in thinking of the known good accomplished, 
than those do who enjoy only a life of ease and 
worldy pleasure. 

" Many times have I felt thankful to my Heaven- 
ly Father, that I early acquired industrious habits, 
a knowledge and love of domestic duties and cares 
so that they have never seemed repulsive, but the 
reverse. 

"Mothers will find they greatly err who do not 
regard the home education of their daughters as of 
the first importance. Children want love and 
sympathy, but not undue indulgence. Give them a 
little ' wholesome neglect/ with useful and pleasant 
occupation. Cultivate the heart and moral percep- 
tions. Store the mind early with divine truth, and 
train them not for the world but for Christ. 



114 WROUGHT GOLD. 

" God has not given me children, but he has 
given me much experience in caring for the children 
of others, and they have seemed quite like my 



own." 



FAITH IN PRAYER. 



A lady was introduced to the Mariners , Fam- 
ily Industrial Society to fill a vacancy in the 
Board of Managers, who was strongly disapproved 
by many of the ladies because of her associations 
and worldly surroundings, etc. It was thought she 
was not a proper person to represent the Society, or to 
visit its pensioners. Again, she was not a Christian, 
though of good moral character, and deeply in- 
terested in the seamen's cause. 

Much to our surprise, and adverse to her usual 
course, Mrs. Hawkins urged her appointment, and 
we yielded. She then said to some of us aside, 
" This lady is energetic, and may make a useful mem- 
ber. We will make her a subject of prayer." She 
doubtless had reasons of which we were not aware 
for this counsel. 

Soon after this lady became a Christian, ready 
to ask earnestly, " Lord, what wilt Thou have me 
to do ?" She probably never suspected to whose 
prayers she was indebted, under God, for his bless- 
ings. She remained for a long period an efficient 
worker, and has now gone to her reward. 

In after years when recommending that prayer 
be offered for any one Mrs. Hawkins would some- 
times quote this ease as an encouragement. 



WROUGHT GOLD. 115 

COUNSELS TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND 
BOARD OF THE AMERICAN FEMALE GUARDIAN 
SOCIETY. 

" Seek to fill vacancies in your Board or other- 
wise only with praying women, those who desire to 
engage in the work for the love of doing good. 

" As far as may be enlist the young of mature 
Christian character, and sound judgment and dis- 
cretion. Such as are willing to deny themselves, 
do missionary work at home, and look for their reward 
hereafter. Here alone in my sick-room I have 
thought much of this. Many who began with us 
have gone, and others at longest will soon follow. 

" You want earnest workers in the prime of life, 
coming forward to fill their places. Pray that they 
may be raised up and divinely sent. 

" Be cautious in accepting names offered, till by 
due inquiry assurance is given that the party 
recommended has truly the spirit of Christ. Re- 
member each one associated with you, will repre- 
sent the work for good or for evil. 

"About teachers for your eleven schools and 
other necesary helpers ; as the work enlarges you 
will need more and more great wisdom in making 
the best possible choice among the many applica- 
tions. 

" In every case you want, primarily, those that 
the place wants, not those that want, and may need 
the place, but owning to some radical defect are not 
well adapted to fill it. You want the best spirit, 
the best moral, mental, and Christian ability that can 



Il6 WROUGHT GOLD. 

be secured. In a matter so responsible it would 
surely be sinful to sacrifice the greater to the less. 

"Judgment, not feeling, should guide in all 
these decisions. Do well what you have in hand, 
then enlarge, prayerfully, as God gives the means. 
Do not be afraid to trust him. Think of what he 
has done for us ! Ask great things. Expect great 
things. Suffer the little children to come to him. 
Bid them to come, all that you can reach." 

A long time friend and fellow-laborer, thus ex- 
presses, by note to the writer, the feelings of many 
others who like herself had not the privilege of a 
last farewell : 

" It would have been a comfort to have been present on the 
day of her funeral but that sweet privilege was denied me, perhaps 
that I might the more easily imagine her wearing her white robe 
and starry crown. Certain it is, I see her continually, not as hav- 
ing passed into the grave, but as making one of that blessed com- 
pany who, having shared her abundant labors on earth, have pre- 
ceded her to that better land, where ' there is no sorrow, nor any 
sighing, nor any sin there, nor any dying.' How much I have 
thought since she was taken up, of the prayer of the Psalmist : 
'Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, 
and the years wherein we have seen evil. If she is made glad in 
that proportion, and we cannot doubt it, how past all comprehen- 
sion must be her joy 

" I have been reading again many of the precions hymns in the 
' Changed Cross,' and oh what a new meaning they have. I wish you 
would reread 'Through the Flood on Foot,' page 202, also 'Good 
Night till then.' " 

THE LONG GOOD NIGHT. 

I journey forth rejoicing, 

From this dark vale of tears, 
To heavenly joy and freedom, 

From earthly bonds and fears : 



WROUGHT GOLD. 117 

Where Christ our Lord shall gather, 

All his redeemed again, 
His kingdom to inherit. 

Good night till then ! 

Go to thy quiet resting, 

Poor tenement of clay ! 
From all thy pain and weakness 

I gladly haste away ; 
But still in faith confiding 

To find thee yet again, 
All glorious and immortal. 

Good night till then ! 

When thus so sadly weeping, 

Beloved ones of my heart ? 
The Lord is good and gracious, 

Though now he bids us part. 
Oft have we met in gladness, 

And we shall meet again, 
All sorrow left behind us. 

Good night till then ! 

I go to see his glory, 

Whom we have loved below ; 
I go, the blessed angels, 

The holy saints to know. 
Our lovely ones departed, 

I go to find again, 
And wait for you to join us. 
Good night till then. 

I hear the Saviour calling, 

The joyful hour has come: 
The angel guards are ready 

To guide me to our home, 
Where Christ our Lord shall gather 

All his redeemed again, 
His kingdom to inherit. 

Good night till then ! 



118 WROUGHT GOLD. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Memorials of the Departed from Endeared Friends. 
FROM MRS. M. I. HUBBARD. 

" So many recollections crowd upon me in regard 
to our departed sister, that I find it difficult to select 
those which will be most appropriate for a memorial 
volume. I will, however, name a few. Mrs. Hawkins 
was eminently fitted for the position she occupied, 
as a presiding officer. 

" This admirable talent was never more manifest 
than when under God, in the years 1844 and 1845, 
she was permitted to pilot our little bark through 
seas of difficulty which threatened to overwhelm it. 
Memory recalls with great vividness the tender ear- 
nestness of her voice as she would say, 'If this work 
be of man it will come to naught, but if it be of God, 
it cannot be overthrown/ and then she would add, 
i Dear sisters, let us say little to each other, but much 
to God/ Her unvarying confidence in our Heaven- 
ly Father and entire absorption in his will were very 
touching. Often when we were in pecuniary straits, 
she would say, ' Well, if the Lord has anything more 
for us to do as an Association, he will provide the 
means, but if he has not, he will find employment 
for us elsewhere ;' and the means always came, some- 
times in a most wonderful manner, so that it was 
apparent to all that it was in direct answer to prayer. 
Truly, it was a blessing to walk by the side of such 



WROUGHT GOLD. 119 

a Christian. I always felt myself a learner in her 
presence. 

" She was fertile in expedients to relieve peculiar 
cases. Many times when I could see no way to 
meet the want, she has studied upon the case until 
just the right thing was suggested to her mind. It 
was her habit if in her walks of usefulness, she met 
a woman who seemed in trouble to stop and inquire 
into her situation, and in almost every instance 
means of relief were found. Sometimes the parties 
were young girls, strangers in a great city, who had 
been lured into the net of the destroyer. Such 
always awakened her deepest sympathy and she was 
to them as a guardian angel leading them back to a 
life of virtue and respectability. I have had several 
of these objects of her compassion in my family and 
some now comfortably settled and with large families 
of children about them have risen up to bless her 
memory. 

" Surely it may be said of her that she delivered 
the fatherless and those that had none to help them, 
and the cause that she knew not she searched out. 
It was on one of these errands of mercy that she 
took the cold which resulted in such a life of suffer- 
ing and helplessness. In speaking of the matter, at 
one time, I asked if the girl for whom she had made 
the effort was saved. She replied in the affirmative, 
giving me some particulars which I have forgotten. 
I remarked, 'So that is some compensation for all 
you have gone through on her account/ She 
assented with a sweetly loving look, which seemed 



120 WROUGHT GOLD. 

to show that even then her heart went out for the 
wanderer, and after a little said, i Yes, oh yes, but 
how much more has my Saviour suffered for me/ 
Tears came, which I was privileged to wipe away 
and in doing so remarked, i And God shall wipe away 
all tears from their eyes/ Her deep emotion pre- 
vented utterance, but it was the communion of 
heart with heart and of both with the dear Lord who 
notes the tears of his saints. 

" At one time her interest was especially excited 
for a simple-hearted orphan-girl, who had gone in 
the way of temptation and was in great danger of 
becoming a prey to the spoiler. With the encourage- 
ment of friends, she assumed the guardianship of the 
girl and wrote to the two young men who were her 
most particular acquaintances requesting an inter- 
view. She desired me to be present. I felt that it 
was a delicate matter to manage and was glad that 
it was in her hands and not in mine. The adroitness 
with which she opened the business and talked the 
whole thing over with them was truly astonishing 
and in the result she not only won their respect and 
confidence leading them to higher aims in life, but 
introduced the girl to a new circle of acquaintances, 
through whom she found the Saviour and became 
eventually the mistress of a happy home where in 
due time, numerous promising olive-plants gathered 
about her table. 

"I felt it a privilege to consult her upon any 
knotty question and never did so without light being 
thrown upon it. I seem to see now her sweet 



WROUGHT GOLD. 121 

expression of rest and confidence as she remarked, 
'The Lord will take care of that/ 

"Although not blessed with children, she had a re- 
markably happy tact with them. She was often heard 
to say, 'I have no children, therefore all the children 
are mine.' Her strong motherly instinct and native 
good sense taught her how to be companionable and 
to make them happy without the assumption of 
authority or a resort to undue fretting. This trait 
I had ample opportunity to observe, during a close 
intimacy of nearly a year, while boarding together 
and occupying adjoining rooms. My own little ones 
were often left in her charge while I went to meet 
an appointment at the city-prison or elsewhere 
which had been made in the expectation that one or 
the other of us would be able to meet it, and subse- 
quently during her long confinement and in seasons 
of acute suffering, I never took a child into her 
presence, that it did not receive kindly notice either 
in words or loving looks from those beaming tender 
eyes. 

" I remember many precious conversations with 
her, one in particular when I asked what had led her 
to this perfectly consecrated- life. I cannot give her 
exact language, but will express her idea as nearly as 
I can. 

"She remarked that before her conversion she 
had been very gay entering into fashionable amuse- 
ments with great avidity, but when it pleased God to 
reveal his Son in her, her views were entirely chang- 
ed and she began to live for others. The amuse- 

6 



122 WROUGHT GOLD. 

ments into which she had entered with such a relish 
before were nothing to her then. She could not 
even turn to them for recreation in an hour of 
weariness. Her new life in Christ so absorbed her 
being that the relinquishment of worldly pleasures 
seemed no sacrifice. She gave them up, not from a 
sense of duty, but because she had lost all relish for 
them. When the Spirit of the Lord came in, the 
spirit of the world went out. She did not consider 
how much of the world she could carry into her new 
life and keep clear of the upbraidings of conscience, 
neither did she try to accommodate her conscience to 
the cravings of a partially sanctified nature, but she 
walked cheerfully in the narrow way and the result 
was a character which has shone brighter and 
brighter unto the perfect day. 

"To this point in her Christian experience, I 
would like to call the attention of young Christians 
whose eyes may fall upon this record. Would they 
form a character of exquisite symmetry which from 
beginning to end may reflect honor upon their 
Lord, let them enter upon his service with a single 
eye, drinking so deeply of the spirit of the Master 
that those amusements which even the church is 
beginning to sanction will have lost all relish, for 
there never was a truer sentiment than that which 
the Christian poet thus expresses, 

" As by the light of opening day, 
The stars are all concealed, 
So earthly pleasures fade away, 
When Jesus is revealed." 



WROUGHT GOLD. 1 23 

u Great as is the loss which our Association and the 
church of Christ have sustained by her removal, I 
cannot but rejoice that her life of discipline is over, 
and that, as she so sweetly and patiently bore the 
cross, she is permitted, now triumphantly to wear 
the crown. 

" Upon whom shall her mantle fall ? May each 
of us who are left to carry on the work which she so 
ardently loved, double our diligence that we may 
accomplish still greater things to the glory of our 
blessed Redeemer. 

" In closing my communication, I will introduce 
a short extract from one of the loving epistles of the 
dear departed, bearing date August 14, 1853, in 
which is a just tribute to her faithful devoted husband, 
whose entrance to the world of light was only a little 
in advance of her own. 

"They were sojourning for a time where healing 
waters had been specially recommended as a restora- 
tive for the suffering invalid. She writes : 

" ' If the kindness of friends could restore me, I 
had been well not only many times since I left New 
York but many times before. A wise Providence, 
however, still directs that I possess my soul in 
patience, abiding his own time to say, "Arise and 
walk." Yet I can say from many months' experience, 
" Sweet are the uses of adversity," and so has " the 
wind been tempered," that, at times I almost wonder 
if this is affliction, seeing that I enjoy such peace of 
mind and so many blessings all along the way, not 
the least, that my ever dear kind husband has been 



124 WROUGHT GOLD. 

preserved so recently from dangers seen as well as 
unseen, and now I enjoy his company and unceas- 
ing care, daily, hourly. Except for what seemed 
calamities, this could not have been, but it results for 
my present comfort and perhaps ultimate recovery. 
Commit thy way unto the Lord and he shall direct 
thy steps. The Lord reigneth, let us rejoice in his 
will, now and evermore. I hear my sisters response 
Amen and Amen. 

" ' My general health has improved with the use of 
these healing waters, and I can help myself some- 
what better in walking, but can seldom get out of a 
chair without assistance. I am riding daily some 
ten or twelve miles, which keeps me in the open air 
and gives me exercise so that I rest better nights 
and am gaining strength slowly 

" ' What egotists sickness makes us ! imagining 
that what so nearly concerns ourselves interests all 
our friends also ; and now that I have filled more than 
half of my sheet with number one, permit me to 
inquire how you have endured the extra labor and 
fatigue thrown upon you the past summer I some- 
times dream of seeing the sisters in committee ; but 
what is not strange in my state of health you all 
seem worn out and exhausted, so that some are lying 
down to rest ; and then I wake and think over our 
labors, joys and cares that are past, and rejoice that 
I have been privileged to labor so long in the Lord's 
vineyard ; and I never feel any care for the future, 
because I have long realized that it is emphatically 
the Lord's work, and he knows who to call into it 



WROUGHT GOLD. 125 

and how to carry it on. I only wonder that he has 
employed one so unfaithful as myself so long and not 
that he has removed me out of the way. 

" ' I need not say to you or to many other dear 
sisters laboring with you, " Work while the day lasts," 
for I know you are abundant in every good work, 
according to your strength, yes and above your 
strength 

" i I must close with love and kind remembrances 
for each and every dear sister with whom I have 
labored in the Lord. I would love to write each 
name, but cannot and it is not necessary for they 
know that I love them all/ " 

" August, 1874. 

" Dear Sister Bennett : In looking back through the many years 
of association with the beloved one, who has left us for the blessed 
home beyond the river, a host of precious recollections crowd upon 
my mind. I think of many sweet hours spent with our dear departed 
sister, so indelibly fixed on my memory that they can never be 
effaced. She seemed to me truly as an elder sister, and in times of 
perplexity and sorrow I hastened to her side, well knowing that deep 
and heartfelt sympathy awaited me there. 

"Never have I met with one, who had not children of her own, 
that could enter so fully into the feelings of both mothers and chil- 
dren. Her interest really seemed wonderful to me as from time to 
time she would make such minute inquiries in reference to my little 
ones. She seemed so perfectly competent to advise, that it became 
a habit with me, when about to make any change with my children, 
as to school or employment, to seek her counsel in so doing. 

" Beside the cradle of my dying infant, did she sit at my side, and 
when the little body lay quiet in death, how tenderly did she say, 
' Go and rest, and I will prepare the dear one for the grave.' 

"A few years previous to the removal of our dear sister to 
Brooklyn, I felt it best to refrain from talking much of Home matters 
with her, as it seemed at times to be more than she could bear. 
After her becoming settled in her new home, she again manifested a 
strong desire to know all about the Home-work, and from that time 
until her death, it was pleasant to spend a day with her as often as 



126 WROUGHT GOLD. 

practicable for the purpose of giving all the information she desired. 
She was always much gratified in listening to the reports of Home 
children visited. She inquired of me at one time concerning a Home 
girl, in whom we had both felt specially interested. 

" I said, ' She has been married sometime, and has an infant a 
few weeks old.' She replied, 'Now let me tell you what you must 

do. M has no mother nor friend to advise her. Go and spend 

a day with her, and teach her how to care for her babe. You have 
had so much to do with infants, I think you could help her very 
much.' This request was soon met, it was so pleasant to do her 
bidding. 

" There was a single time, however, well remembered, when the 
heart rebelled. There was to be a semi-annual meeting in Madison, 
New York, and at that time those attending the meeting, left in the 
evening boat on Monday expecting to be absent until Saturday A. M. 
I went to Mrs. Hawkins early on Monday morning to ask if there 
was anything I could attend to in the absence of the committee, as 
most of them would be away for the week. 

"She thought for a moment, then said, ' I want you to go home, 
prepare yourself and baby to go with us to-night, to attend the 
meeting.' I expostulated, but she insisted, saying ' I want you to go. 
I want to have all denominations represented, and your presence in 
our delegation is necessary to that end.' We went together, had 
an interesting meeting, and I was not sorry for having followed her 
better judgment. 

'•It would be vain to attempt to repeat the words of comfort and 
encouragement that have fallen from her lips. A few days after the 
death of her dear husband, I hastened to her knowing that her time 
on earth was short. I feared almost to enter her presence after 
this great sorrow had fallen upon her. But my fears were all dis- 
pelled when looking upon her sweet face I saw that all was well. I 
sat down by her bedside to spend the last hour with her in the flesh. 
It was a solemn but joyful time. Oh, the beauty of that firm, abi- 
ding faith in Jesus. How it shone in her countenance. The last kiss 
was given, the last good-by spoken, knowing full well that our 
intercourse on earth was ended, and that our next meeting would be 

" ' In that home beyond the river, 
Where the surges cease to roll, 
Where in all the glad for ever, 
Sorrow ne'er can fill the soul.' 

"J.C.A." 



WROUGHT GOLD. \2J 

FROM MRS. M. O. WARD, AN EARLY FRIEND AND FELLOW- 
HELPER. 

"Dear Sister Bennett : I was so glad to be with you at your 
late Annual meeting, as you gathered up the labors of the past and 
rehearsed them. 

"The varied testimonies given of our dear sister Hawkins was 
like a sweet echo in my heart and reminded me of Gideon with his 
little band. God made of him what grace did for her. Taking her 
up in her individuality, and with a message and a promise, sending 
her forth with her pitcher and lamp, with the assurance that the 
barley cake should tumble into the host and discomfit them. 
" ' Have I not commanded thee 
I will be with thee ?' 

-"How often when the 'If the Lord be with us we will go' was 
the word, did her appropriating faith recall that {/"with the renewed 
promise, 'Surely I will be with thee.' 

" As I reviewed the past and thought how God honored that faith, 
which looking above conditions and circumstances led out the little 
band long years ago in confidence and self-surrender to strike at the 
root of an evil for which even good men felt there could be no 
effectual prevention or remedy, and then listened to the reports of 
the day, it was only to exclaim, ' What hath God wrought !' 

" He did not need the thousands who were fearful and afraid, 
neither those who for refreshment rested comfortably on their knees, 
but the few, who in energy of spirit put their hand to the mouth and 
lapped the water as they pressed on their way. 

"These chosen few were wont to come together around their 
Redeemer's feet to renew their vows and supplicate for wisdom to 
devise, and patience and courage to execute, and strength to endure, 
until the contest should be ended, and the reign of peace and purity 
extend over the whole earth. It was at such times our sister would 
say, 'There is nothing we so much need as prayer. Let us pray, 
sisters ;■' and there would then be exhibitions of the love and power 
of God, which through grace would lead us to desire to consecrate 
our whole life with all our powers to his service. We were prepared 
at such times to adopt resolutions calling for entire consecration, • 
praying and believing that every faculty of our being would be brought 
fully under the influence of the constraining love of Jesus ; and 
that as women professing godliness we would set an example of 
Christian simplicity in all things ; furthering the cause of temperance 
and industry worthy the imitation of the young ; and that God in 
answer to such desire in faith and confidence would make us helpers 



128 WROUGHT GOLD. 

with him in his cause, and give us as our place of defence, the 
munitions of rocks. 

" At these gatherings our sister would with great simplicity of 
faith, with her pitcher all broken, scatter the beautiful light of her 
clear well-filled lamp which shone through and through her, all her 
countenance lit up with heavenly grace. * It was not by might nor 
by power,' but simple confidence in God, that gave her the command- 
ing influence she wielded over our hearts and minds ; answering the 
very resolutions she so often gave out for discussion. 

" Prayer was the essential element of her life, bringing her into 
such close intimacy and fellowship with her Father that the very life 
and countenance partook of heavenly associations. 

" When far away from home we received notice that our sister 
had fallen asleep in Jesus. Blessed sleep after so many years of 
suffering ! 

" My last interview with her was very precious. Her trust was 
strong in the Lord that he was "doing just the best thing for her and 
only working out in her the peaceable fruits of righteousness the 
better to prepare her for himself. 

" I thought, not so much for yourself, dear sister, as that this 
breastplate you have been wearing, this practical life of holiness 
you have been bearing for others, has not yet accomplished the service 
God designs. In years gone by, I needed no better reproof than to 
contemplate her life. I well remember when she was called to take 
upon herself the responsibilities of a large household ; in speaking 
to her of the care and worriment a family of children with servants 
brought, she said : 

" ' My dear, when, as is often the case, my cares distract, and 
nerves grow weak, I drop all, leave all, run away for a little while ; 
visit some poor family, listen to their wants, sympathize in their 
sorrows and go home refreshed in body and spirit prepared for any 
emergency. Try it, and see if the remedy is not a good one.' 

" She was beautiful in her simplicity. Her manner was simple, 

her prayers were uttered in simplicity, and in her dress she needed 

not the braided hair or gold or pearls or costly array, for her 

adornment ; since she was the ' King's daughter all glorious within, 

• her clothing of wrought gold and her raiment of needle-work.' 

" It is our prayer from day to day that this confidence in God, 
this self-abnegation, this unanswering devotedness of heart and 
mind may be ours, that God her Father and our Father may still use 
us among the band of sisterhood who are so nobly answering to the 
call, * The harvest is white, put ye in the sickle.' 



WROUGHT GOLD. 129 

" The day is far spent the night is at hand, we will rejoice and be 
glad for all the past, and for the joyful hopes of the future. 

" Bunyan says, ' That poor dust and ashes should be in the favor, 
in the heart, and wrapped up in the compassion of such a God ; oh, 
amazing, oh, astonishing consideration. And yet this God is our 
God for ever and ever.' 

"Our heart responds Amen. 

" Yours in love, 

"M. O. W." 

LETTER FROM REV. THEO. L. CUYLER. 

"Brooklyn, June 12, 1874. 

"Dear Friend: I cannot now recall as desired, the brief im- 
promptu address which I delivered at the service held in Mrs. Haw- 
kins' house on the day of her funeral. All I aimed at was just to tell 
that group of bereaved friends how deeply I revered the precious 
memory of that child of Jesus, whose silent form lay before us. I 
had long known her as one of the best women and best workers in 
all New York. 

"She came nearer up to Isabella Graham than any Christian 
philanthropist of her sex that I have met. There was no fuss or 
fume about the quiet resolute work she did for God's poor suffering 
ones. Nor was there any trace of cant in her cheerful godliness. She 
was strict without being stern. She stood for good old Puritan mo- 
rality ; yet never dropped one gill of bigotry into the sweet clear jar of 
her benevolence. 

"For several years, from 1752 to i860, I was permitted to see 
much of her at the * Home' and I delivered three or four of the 
annual addresses for the ' American Female Guardian Society.' 
Mrs. Hawkins was the embodiment of the Society; the very sight 
of her recalled the 'Home for the Friendless,' as much as the sight 
of Gough recalls temperance, or that of Garrison recalls anti-slavery. 

" Her talent was the talent of keeping at Christ's work ; it was 
the gift of continuity in well-doing. Some Christians evaporate their 
religion in sentimental talk about high attainments in holiness. Mrs. 
Hawkin's idea of piety was too humble, too earnest, too practical for 
any such volatile emotionalism. She communed much with Jesus, 
and went from her knees to her post of toil ; we need not wonder 
that her sheaf grew large before she carried it home to glory. 

" A little while before her death I spent a sweet hallowed hour 
with her ; when we broke together the bread, and drank together of 
that cup which set forth Jesus' dying love to his disciples. She now 
partakes of that fruit of the vine at the marriage -supper of the Lamb. 

6* 



130 WROUGHT GOLD. 

Her suffering limbs, so long tortured by disease, are at rest. Her 
joy is full. She has been welcomed by more than one whom she 
befriended, up in yonder home of the ransomed. Mrs. Hawkins 
will be no stranger in heaven. So many are there who once knew 
and loved her, that she must have had warm welcome in the house- 
hold of the shining ones. 

" Accept these few words from the heart of yours, 

"T. L, CUYLER." 



WROUGHT GOLD. 131 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Commemorative Discourse. 

At the Fortieth Anniversary of the American 
Female Guardian Society, held May 10, 1874, the 
following Commemorative Discourse was delivered 
by Rev. S. H. Tyng, D. D., and is inserted here 
by the kind permission of the esteemed author : 

" The King's daughter is all glorious within : Her clothing is of 
wrought gold." Psalm 45 : 13. 

I wish to speak of the comprehensive excellence 
and beauty of Female Christian Character, and 
upon the present occasion, in connection with a 
special personal illustration. 

I do not know that I shall be expected to vindi- 
cate this appropriation of the attractive words of 
holy Scripture which I have here selected. They 
are rightly, habitually interpreted, as a corporate 
description of the whole accepted Christian church 
as it stands in relation to its divine Redeemer, ac- 
knowledged, welcomed, and glorified in him. In 
this view, there is neither male nor female, in person, 
attributes, or character, to be selected or regarded. 
All are one in Christ Jesus ; and the church of the 
living God, given to the Son — ransomed by his 
blood, cleansed from guilt in his sacrifice, justified 
in his perfect obedience, renewed by his Spirit in 
his own image, guided by his power through grace 
to glory, heirs together of eternal life, crowned 



132 WROUGHT GOLD. 

with the everlasting fulness of his own exalted tri- 
umph — is the Queen who standeth at his right hand 
in gold of Ophir, in whose acknowledged beauty 
the King delights, and whose unchanging, loving 
worship is offered unto him. 

But we are never to forget that this redeemed 
church is no fountain of holiness or life, in any cor- 
porate character of its own, however received. It 
is holy, because its members are individually holy. 
Their concrete personal excellence, the separate di- 
vine gift to each and to each apart, constitutes the 
exaltation of character, which is thus made to dis- 
tinguish all, because it belongs to each. That which 
marks and honors the whole combined, was first, the 
gracious gift, which distinguished each apart. They 
stand as individuals, separate and alone, each shi- 
ning with the brightness and beauty of a disjunctive 
excellence entirely peculiar. They stand as together 
the acknowledged Bride of the Lamb, " Looking 
forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the 
sun ;" one army of the Lord, whose banner over 
them is everlasting love. They are the household 
of God. They are the sons and daughters of the 
Lord Almighty. 

We may, therefore, as to all, as one, so to each, 
as many, apply the language of the Holy Spirit 
which I have here selected : " The Kings daughter 
is all glorious within ; her clothing is of wrought 
gold. She shall be brought unto the King, in rai- 
ment of needle- work; the virgins her companions 
that follow her, shall be brought unto thee; with 



WROUGHT GOLD. 133 

gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought; they 
shall enter into the King's palace. " 

There are still comparisons, distinctions, which 
may justly be observed among these accepted 
daughters of the Lord Almighty. It may be said 
of some of them, personally, " Many daughters 
have done virtuously; but thou excellest them all." 
While of them all it must be said, " Favor is de- 
ceitful ; beauty is vain ; but the woman that feareth 
the Lord, she shall be praised." Their real distinc- 
tion is not in things of earth or outward aspect, but 
in the reality of their divine relations, and in the 
sincerity and completeness of their consecration 
to Him who hath bought them for himself, and 
united them to himself, in an everlasting covenant 
never to be forgotten. Of this exalted aspect of 
female relations, character, and results, as presented to 
us in this beautiful description, I wish to speak. 
"The King's daughter is all glorious within; her 
clothing is of wrought gold." 

I. There is but one Being in the universe, who 
in the Christian faith is received, and in the great 
scheme of divine redemption is proclaimed, as " the 
King," the Ruler over the ransomed people of God. 
Of him it is said, " Yet have I set my King upon 
my holy hill of Zion." By him, of him, God hath 
spoken to us, who is the brightness of his glory, and 
the express image of his person, when he bringeth 
his first-begotten into the world. " Thy throne, O 
God, is for ever and ever, and a sceptre of righte- 
ousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." " He is 



134 WROUGHT GOLD. 

the head of his body the church." " In all things 
he hath the pre-eminence. For it hath pleased the 
Father, that in him shall all fulness dwell." 

This exaltation, power, royalty of Jesus, a divine, 
incarnate Saviour, God manifest in the flesh, is the 
universal acknowledgment of faith, and the grand 
foundation of hope for the whole Christian church. 
Life in him, love for him, submission to him, trust 
upon him, redemption by him, living consecration 
to him, affectionate, faithful service with him, make 
up the whole Christian relation and character in all 
its aspects and influences. We are in reality what 
we are to Christ ; not the mere holders of a theory, 
however accurate, but the living members, disciples, 
friends, of a living Saviour, personally accepted, in- 
tensely loved, and for whom all other relationships 
are willingly sacrificed and forgotten. 

In such a view of his excellence, and of the per- 
sonal relations of his loving people to himself, how 
precious is the title of " The King's daughter." No 
Intelligent reader of the gospel histories can fail to 
be impressed with the Saviour's chosen intimate 
relations to the female sex. The pertinent instances 
of these illustrations are constantly occurring. Who 
can forget his filial subjection to his mother, his 
dignified defence and protection of the weeping 
woman at the feast in Capernaum ; his clear and 
patient instruction of the woman of Samaria at the 
well ; his sweet, reassuring utterance, " Daughter 
be of good cheer, thy faith hath made thee whole," 
to her who pressed forward amid the multitude to 



WROUGHT GOLD. 135 

touch the hem of his garment; his majestic, practi- 
cal consolation to the hopeless widow of Nain ; his 
refined social intercourse with the household of 
Bethany ; his effective friendship and relief at the 
grave, to the sisters of Lazarus ; his firm mainte- 
nance of the woman's right and duty, who poured 
her precious ointment on his head when seated at 
the supper of Simon ; his thoroughly unselfish ac- 
knowledgment of the fidelity of the daughters of 
Jerusalem on his way to the cross ; his tranquil, 
undying love in the last hour of mortal life for the 
mother, whom he still owned, and still truly desired 
to protect : " Woman, behold thy son," and to the 
loved disciple, " Behold thy mother ;" his cheerful, 
awakening call to Mary, in the early morning of his 
resurrection — all these peculiar facts, characteristic 
of the Saviour's sojourn upon the earth, are not 
merely casually, incidentally, so particularly record- 
ed. They are inseparable attributes of the person, 
the life, the history with which they are thus con- 
nected. And they are designed to assure to the 
female sex, under this living, exalting, spiritual do- 
minion of Christian love, Christian influence, Chris- 
tian acknowledgment, a reverence, a confidence, an 
importance, an official work and station in human 
society, and human regeneration, which woman was 
never before allowed to have on earth. Far re- 
moved, far above, far beyond any mere trifling flat- 
tery in the social language of men, or any effective 
ridicule of what may be heartlessly stigmatized as 
" Woman's Rights," it cannot be denied or forgot- 



136 WROUGHT GOLD. 

ten, that under the dispensation of the gospel of 
Jesus, redeemed woman stands and lives and gov- 
erns, where woman never stood, in just and sober 
estimate before. And apostles in all the churches 
of the saints may recall their faithful Lydia, their 
beloved Persis, their Phoebe, the successor of Mary, 
their Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, unfailing in " la- 
bor ;" their mother of Rufus, as a mother also to 
them ; their Lois and Eunice, the domestic patterns 
of faith unfeigned, as types and monuments of " the 
daughters of the King," in the generations which 
they have served, and among the souls to whom 
they have ministered the glorious gospel of the 
blessed God committed to their trust. 

Such was the faithful woman of whom I am 
here to speak. She was among us, truly, as " the 
daughter of the King." For near thirty years have 
I known her, in frequent, occasional, personal, as 
well as official relation. There was always, really 
that about her, in manner, in principle, in method 
of action, in personal, relative influence, which truly 
vindicated for her this distinguished title, "the 
daughter of the King." The circumstances which 
attended some of the early labors of the Society of 
which she was made President were very trying 
and peculiar. I was invited to be the Chairman of 
the first meeting held by its Board of Advisers, 
previous to the erection of the Home for the Friend 
less, and from that day have been connected with 
its operations and results, as the Chairman of its 
Board of Counsellors. 



WROUGHT GOLD. 137 

The moderation and dignity which have distin- 
guished the presiding woman, of whom I now speak, 
were very remarkable. With all the earnestness of' 
deep affection and interest for the success of the 
important work over which she presided, there was 
a degree of gentleness and suavity, of unaffected 
kindness and good nature, united with unusual wis- 
dom and practical consideration, which gave a pe- 
culiar value to her services, and a very effective 
charm to her personal association and deportment. 
She appeared to have none of that official impa- 
tience, and hardness of interpretation, which the 
constant wearing of applications, from the poor and 
the idle, is so apt to produce; a familiarity with 
sorrow and want, which almost seems inevitably to 
promote a degree of indifference to it. She was 
always, even in the midst of prolonged and exces- 
sive suffering, patient, loving, and kind. Her cheer- 
ful interest in the welfare of others never forsook 
her. Her forbearance and sympathy with suffering, 
and its unceasing applications, seemed never to be 
exhausted or to give way to a single expression of 
fretfulness or disturbance. And through all these 
years of complicated personal and official trial 
among us, she truly vindicated her Christian fidelity 
to the cause, and the Saviour whom she loved, and 
justly claimed among us the exalted title which we 
have here before us. Whether we consider the re- 
ality of her personal union with this divine Saviour, 
to whom she had truly consecrated herself, or her 
gentle, dignified, and upright fulfilment of her per- 



138 WROUGHT GOLD. 

sonal offices for him, we cannot hesitate to acknowl- 
edge, and to claim especially for her, this honorable 
designation, " The King's daughter." And we pro- 
ceed to speak of the peculiar description of personal 
character and attributes with which the title is here 
connected, as equally appropriate to her. " The 
King's daughter is all glorious within ; her clothing 
is of wrought gold." It is the beauty of the inwcwd 
spiritual mind, and the undoubted excellence of the 
external manifestation, in the open life and charac- 
ter, and it is the affirmation of them both, as they 
appear in the judgment of God y and in the light of 
the Saviour's presence and example. " She shall 
be brought before the King in raiment of needle- 
work." 

II. In all the general elements of a true spiritual 
character — the work and fruit of the Holy Spirit of 
God — we must certainly say with St. Paul, " There 
is neither male nor female. All are one in Christ 
Jesus." And yet nothing is more remarkable in 
personal Christian history, than the variety of de- 
velopment of this spiritual life on these two sides 
of individual manifestation. An advanced spiritual 
history presents, under the same discriminate class 
of Christian fruits, very distinct results in the ex- 
perience, and the effort, of these two sexes, in the 
church of God. And it is to the Lord's glory, and 
greatly to the advantage and the honor of his church, 
that there are abundant fields for the exercise of the 
highest peculiar gifts, the most discriminate per- 
sonal labors, the brightest and loveliest illustrations 



WROUGHT GOLD. 139 

of divinely instructed intellect, and the separate 
walk and influence, prepared for female responsibil- 
ity, and for the woman's mission in the household 
of God's redeemed. The glowing description be- 
fore us has an eminently appropriate, and not an 
overstrained application, to the truly Christian wom- 
an of whom I now speak, as thus actively and effect- 
ively employed. 

It is the perfect beauty of an inward spiritual 
life. She " is all glorious within." The native pow- 
ers are consecrated to God. The affections, the 
judgment, and the conscience, are made the dwell- 
ing-place of a loving, pardoning Saviour. The mo- 
tives, the schemes, the labors of practical life, are 
guided, sustained, and taught, by the power of the 
Holy Ghost. The woman accepted, beloved, adopt- 
ed as the daughter, the sister, the mother, the spouse 
of an all-glorified Redeemer, becomes, with pecu- 
liar earnestness and energy, a living sacrifice to 
him ; a temple in which he dwells with special affin- 
ity and delight, and an agent and an instrument 
whom he employs with the most delicate appropria- 
tion and the most satisfying success. In the life of 
such a woman there is a holiness, a wisdom, a puri- 
ty, a faithfulness, an attraction, an adaptation, most 
distinguishing in the peculiar attributes of her sex. 
As a woman of prayer, of peacefulness, of tender- 
ness, of delicate watchfulness, of skill and tact, in 
relative effort, of patience and long-suffering, of 
cheerful self-denial, and persistent determination, 
"she is all glorious within." Her appointed field 



140 WROUGHT GOLD. 

of duty may be large or local ; her providential op- 
portunities may be entirely various and widely dif- 
fering ; her appointments may be active or passive, 
in divine selection and in extreme degrees. But 
everywhere this spiritual beauty of the inward life 
comes out. She demonstrates herself " the daugh- 
ter of the King, all glorious within." It may be 
Nightingale writing a perennial history upon the 
waters of the Bosphorus. It may be Hamlin light- 
ing her valley in the groves of Rhodes. It may be 
Judson shining as a heavenly pattern to the wan- 
dering, loving ones of Burmah. It may be Jones 
illuminating with divine benignity the Poorhouse of 
Liverpool. It may be Hill giving her half-century 
of new-creating influence and sanctifying example 
to the neglected daughters of Greece. Or it may 
be our beloved Hawkins, still from her couch of un- 
ceasing pain, counselling, encouraging, comforting 
her associate laborers for the poor, the outcast, the 
friendless ones of all comprehensive New York, in 
the midst and through the trials and sufferings of 
over twenty years' patient, painful confinement. But 
it is everywhere the same generic manifestation. 
The inward mind which Jesus gave, ministering to 
the outward needs and sorrows, for which Jesus by 
his own Spirit has commissioned it. And the beauty, 
the perfection of the inward character and gift shine 
forth, in all the demonstrations of relative useful- 
ness, active beneficence, invigorating sympathy, in- 
telligent consideration, and self-denying and self- 
forgetting endurance for Jesus' sake, displaying to 



WROUGHT GOLD. 141 

all a divine impression of which the possessor is 
still so unconscious. " The King's daughter is all 
glorious within." 

I by no means undervalue the moral advanta- 
ges and attractions of other qualifications or attain- 
ments of the privileged woman. I confess the value 
and claim of an intellect enlarged by study, and 
fruitful in instruction. I acknowledge the worth of 
social rank, and the grace of an exterior refinement, 
and popularity of manner and association. I am by 
no means blind to the attractions of personal beau- 
ty, dignity, delicacy, in individual aspect and na- 
tive bestowal. But I now refer to none of these 
as the discriminating characteristic of which I speak. 
Or, if you please, I refer to them all, in a filial, 
grateful consecration of them to the glory of Him 
who has bestowed them all. They are the privi- 
leges of few. I speak of that spiritual beauty, " all 
glorious within," which is within the reach of all 
who desire its possession, and is really the property 
of all who truly love and honor the divine Saviour, 
of whom it is the image and the gift. I wish to 
designate the glory of a life of inward holiness, of 
personal, habitual communion with a loving Re- 
deemer, of unselfish devotion to the welfare and 
happiness of those for whom he died, of benevolent 
feeling, and beneficent activity and display, which 
becomes spontaneous- in action, and asks no reward 
but the privilege and freedom of its exercise, and 
which glows in a life, little lower than the angels in 



142 WROUGHT GOLD. 

elevation, and far deeper than theirs can be in motive 
and grateful impulse. 

The excellent woman to whom I now personally 
refer, was in reality a fair illustration of much that 
was adorning and attractive, in social and personal 
relation and aspect. ' But she had received grace to 
bring these all in a grateful dedication to the honor 
of a beneficent Saviour, in her own personal devo- 
tion to his service, and living faith in his fulness 
and power. All her gifts of nature and society she 
gratefully employed, in the most constant benevo- 
lence and disinterested effort towards the homeless, 
friendless, wandering children of sorrow and pov- 
erty, deserted and whirled around in this ever-dri- 
ving stream of business, of selfishness, and of self- 
concentration, which so heaps up our great metrop- 
olis of trade. 

The " fruits of the Spirit," " all glorious within," 
she laid upon the altar of Christian love. Certainly, 
not all can give what she possessed. But who can- 
not walk in her steps, and in their measure of abil- 
ity mind the same thing ? Her character and course 
were so valuable, because they were so imitable. 
Her gentleness, her suavity, her long-suffering, her 
generous consideration, her fixed and unshrinking 
purpose, through all her years of suffering, occupy- 
ing even the thoughts and plans of her dying hour, 
were so precious as a pattern, because they were so 
accessible. They were not the exclusion of the 
high-walled garden of the rich, cultivated by sci- 
ence and maintained by wealth, which few only 



WROUGHT GOLD. 143 

could possess, however beautiful and attractive. 
They were the open, cleanly, verdant slopes and 
shadows of the unfenced grove, where all might 
breathe alike the fragrance of the sunlight and the 
shade, the flower and the shrub, who had the desire 
to enjoy the beauty, and the taste to seek, the at- 
tractions which the Creators hand has widely spread 
for all. She had given herself to Christ. She de- 
sired to live for Christ. This life of earth was her 
grateful offering to Christ ; and she lived it by the 
faith of the Son of God ; demonstrated and acknowl- 
edged among all, as sincere and without offence. 
" The King's daughter, all glorious within." 

III. But added to this distinguished relation, 
and this inward spiritual character, we have here, 
also, the outward, acceptable manifestation, " Her 
clothing is of wrought gold." 

There is a very significant distinctness in this 
expression. In all ages, among all people, gold has 
been the measure of earthly worth, the type of un- 
doubted reality, and the symbol of acknowledged 
goodness and beauty. It has been the one material 
thing always prized, always delighted in, and in all 
its relations maintaining unchallenged its pristine 
and inseparable superiority. 

It is beautiful when gathered in the shining 
flake, polished by the shower and the sand. It is 
beautiful when wrought by a natural moulding in- 
fluence into the crystallized nugget, or gathered in 
its glittering particles of scattered dust. But what 
an increase of value does the skilled labor of the 



144 WROUGHT GOLD. 

human hand add to its utmost native worth, when 
chased into the delicacy of almost imperceptible 
variety of surface, or wrought into the embroidery 
of the robe of royalty, or set as the proud nest of 
the queenly diamond. And this is the illustration 
here, " Her clothing is of wrought gold." 

It is an outward manifestation, which is unpar- 
alleled on earth. Such is declared to be the real 
character and result of a soul redeemed by the pre- 
cious blood of the Son of God, adopted into the 
Sonship of a reconciled Father, new created after 
the divine image of the Son, by the Holy Spirit of 
God, renewed in holiness, after the image of Him 
who created it, alive to God in Christ, alive in Christ 
for ever, a spectacle to angels and to men, adorned 
with the beauties of holiness, shining as the bright- 
ness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and 
ever. 

It is a marked description of unparalleled human 
character. And is not this unparalleled in the moral 
history of man ? The intellect of living Christi- 
anity is a grand and exalted exhibition of man, but 
excelling only in degree. The philosophy and the 
scientific art of antiquity, command and receive the 
admiration of all succeeding ages, and in some facts 
remain unrivalled among men. But the heart- 
searching morality of the gospel, the high spiritual 
patterns of divine revelation, the exalted, self-sac- 
rificing principles of human duty, as thus propound- 
ed, the elevated, pure, and sublime examples of liv- 
ing beneficence and holiness there portrayed and 



WROUGHT GOLD. 145 

described, the living character of Jesus wrought 
into all the unsullied perfection and cheering use- 
fulness of his own walk on earth, manifested in the 
sublime glory of his willing death, his pardoning 
love, his majestic tenderness and pity, his faithful- 
ness in that which was least, and that which was 
much, and carried out in the spirit and life of his 
faithful servants and disciples — these are without a 
parallel in human history. They are gold in their 
reality, and they are wrought gold in their perfec- 
tion. The work of the Holy Spirit within is the 
power of their living nature. The fruits of the 
Spirit without are the results of this divine work- 
manship, in the appreciable, practicable exhibition 
of its influence and its worth. 

Where, but under the gospel of Jesus, have hu- 
man lives, with all their coveted attainments, been 
entirely consecrated to the great calls of benevo- 
lence to man, to the most self-sacrificing missions 
of the educated and the talented, to raise the sav- 
age from his thraldom, to elevate the ignorant and 
the outcast, to preach a spiritual salvation to nations 
in darkness, to lift the poor from the dust, to bid 
the captive go free ? The gospel in its principles 
and character, its revelations and hopes, is truly 
gold. And the history, the lives, and labors of 
those whom it has governed, commissioned, and 
employed, and by whom it has blessed and saved 
the world, are the " wrought gold," the efficiency of 
a love which has cheerfully, patiently, perseveringly 
labored with practical skill and fidelity, to enrich 

7 



146 WROUGHT GOLD. 

the poor with its blessings, to encourage the weary 
with its promises, and to uphold the dying with its 
transcendant hopes. 

When all these fruits of the spiritual mind come 
forth in the practical character, and the heart is 
stretched forth in the hand, and love speaks in the 
tongue, and tender, unwearied sympathy acts in the 
life, and unspotted holiness dignifies and adorns the 
example, and gentle, patient consideration adds 
beauty and grace to redouble the worth of every 
gift in itself, how beautiful appears the garment 
which this gospel gives, and which the real disciple 
and minister of its truth and power wears among 
men. " He that is of the contrary part is ashamed, 
having no evil thing to say." And both the free 
and the constrained confession of earth combine to 
say, " There is none like Jesus, and there are none 
like those who serve him." 

Those of you who have known this faithful 
woman, will anticipate my just application of this 
illustration to her honored career, " Her clothing is 
of wrought gold." How beautifully the wise man 
of Israel says of such a one, and how justly may 
we apply it to her long and faithful course of use- 
fulness ! " Strength and honor are her clothing ; 
and she shall rejoice in time to come. She opened 
her mouth with wisdom ; and in her tongue was the 
law of kindness. Give her of the fruit of her hands ; 
and let her own works praise her in the gate. Fa- 
vor is deceitful, and beauty is vain : but a woman 
that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." 



WROUGHT GOLD. 147 

And surely we offend not against the word or 
will of God, when we express ourselves freely, af- 
fectionately, in her commendation. 

But there is yet another step to be taken in this 
consideration. " It is a light thing to be judged of 
man, or of man's judgment. He that judgeth us 
is the Lord." We are what we are to him. We 
are to him what we are in Christ. Ralph Erskine 
quaintly but truly sings : 

" Kind Jesus spent his life to spin 

My robe of perfect righteousness, 
But by his Spirit's work within, 

He forms my gracious, holy dress. 
He justifying by his merit, ' 

Imputes to me his righteousness, 
But sanctifying by his Spirit, 

Infuses in me saving grace. 
Imputed grace entitles me, 

Unto eternal happiness. 
Imparted grace will qualify, 

The heavenly kingdom to possess, 
That in his righteousness I trust 

My holiness will show, 
Though graces cannot make me just, 

They show me to be so." 

Nothing can stand for us, as the foundation of 
our acceptance with God, but the perfect, personal 
obedience of a divine and infinite Saviour, who hath 
fulfilled all righteousness, and is alone able to save 
unto the uttermost, all who come unto him. When 
we stand there, 

11 Not the labors of our hands, 
Can fulfil his law's commands ; 
These for sin could not atone, 
He must save, and he alone." 



148 WROUGHT GOLD. 

"The clothing of wrought gold" is, therefore, in 
its highest sense of application, the work of Jesus. 
" We count all but loss, that we may win him and 
be found in him." The utmost which we can do 
can only be a testimony of our love for Christ, and 
our real union by his own Spirit with him. But 
there it is acknowledged and accepted, and then 
will stand at last before the throne of God, " hav- 
ing nothing and yet possessing all things." u The 
feeblest of our sincere efforts in his service and for 
his glory, are graciously accepted and rewarded for 
his sake, in whom alone we trust, and not " a cup of 
cold water" forgotten, which we have really given 
to suffering humanity in his name and for his glory. 

There our beloved friend rests ; at home at last, 
her warfare completed, herself accepted in her be- 
loved Lord. "The King's daughter, all glorious 
within ; her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall 
be brought unto the King, in raiment of needle- 
work. Her companions that follow her shall be 
brought ; with gladness and rejoicing shall they 
enter into the King's palace." 

I do not feel that I have been guilty of any ex- 
travagance in this commemorative view of this be- 
loved and faithful woman ; and I shall close it with 
a quotation from the expressions of those who have 
labored with her most constantly, known her most 
intimately, and were most qualified to judge truly of 
her history, her character, and her life — in all of 
whose testimonies, to the utmost extent of my obser- 
vation, I cordially agree. They unite to say : 



WROUGHT GOLD. 149 

" We thank God with full hearts that he chose 
and ordained her whose loss we mourn, to bring 
forth so much and such precious fruit to his glory ; 
that he gave her as a friend to the poor, a guide to 
the perplexed, a patient, effective, untiring worlcer 
to the Saviours cause, and a friend and example to 
us who have been most intimately connected with 
her. We praise him that in years long ago, he led 
her to put her hand to the work of saving the young 
and tempted, to visit the lanes and alleys and pris- 
ons of our city, to win many an exposed and hunted 
soul back from the ways of sin into paths of virtue 
and piety, and to unite with others in forming this 
Society, and in projecting this, the first Home for 
the Friendless ever established in our land ; -that 
when, through arduous and self-denying labors, in 
season and out of season, disease was contracted, 
and she was consigned for life to the chair and 
couch of pain, while her body was racked with an- 
guish, her intellect remained clear, her courage un- 
shrinking, her trust in God firm, and her mental 
energies unabated to the last ; that, through all 
these twenty-two years of intense physical suffering, 
she has continued unfaltering in her devotion to the 
cause of the homeless and distressed, a counsellor 
with her associates in every circumstance and per- 
plexity, and an example of patience, gentleness, of 
love and faith. The wondrous grace which created 
in Christ Jesus such a model of worth and fidelity, 
we can but exalt. God's light has shined most 
beautifully through this suffering life. In the fire 



150 WROUGHT GOLD. 

she has glorified her Saviour, and our hearts are 
penetrated with a sense of the great blessing God 
has conferred upon us in one, the lustre and mem- 
ory of whose name we can never lose. Nothing 
but divine power could have wrought so glorious a 
work in a human soul, have so triumphed over the 
infirmities of a tortured body, could so have per- 
fected on earth the image of the heavenly ; and we 
glorify and praise that power. Only an indwelling 
Christ could have made possible such a sweet and 
unwavering testimony as she has ever borne to him." 
What is the true influence which the remem- 
brance of such a character and life should be ex- 
pected and be directed to produce ? There was 
nothing in it beyond the imitation and attainment 
of every truly faithful " daughter of the King." Its 
power was in the reality of its acceptance of a Sav- 
iour's love, and its experience of the aid and com- 
fort of the Spirit of God. She lived so usefully, 
and so happily and effectively, even in the midst of 
excessive trial and suffering, because she lived in 
the constant fellowship of the Redeemer, whom she 
loved. Her talents, her plans, her influence, her 
example, she gave to the most simple and practical 
of all efforts for usefulness in his cause. Her min- 
istry was for the homeless, the friendless, the forsa- 
ken. To keep them in the ways of virtue and truth, 
to restore and elevate them to the ability of self- 
support and usefulness to others, to relieve the 
pressure of actual want, and to awaken the desire 
and impulse for permanent improvement, for the 



WROUGHT GOLD. 15 I 

life present and to come — these were the simple 
ends for which she so faithfully and successfully 
labored in the service of her beneficent and loving 
Lord. What woman is there, in the church of God, 
who cannot intelligently follow a course so clearly 
marked and so plainly efficient ? What mission is 
there for woman in the great field of human resto- 
ration, so manifestly her own, and so indubitably 
the cause of the Lord whom she desires to serve ? 
Who is there here that in an equal self-dedication 
will catch the mantle of this blessed, ascended 
" daughter of the King," and go, from this hour, 
consecrated in an equal, living devotion to Jesus, 
and in a similar outpouring of her life, for the full, 
practical salvation of sisters, in youth and age, 
whom Jesus loves, and for whom Jesus was content 
to die ? 



152 WROUGHT GOLD. 



LINES SUGGESTED BY A FINE PORTRAIT OF MRS. HAWKINS, 
HER LAST GIFT TO THE HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS. 

Friend down the years — loved " daughter of the King," 

Made by his grace all glorious within — 

Thy clothing of "wrought gold," supremely fair; 

Image of life when life was in its spring, 

And sweetly consecrate to doing good. 

Our eyes meet thine — fond memory brings thee back; 

We seem to see thee as thou wert of yore, 

In prime of life, so loving, gentle, kind, 

Quick to discern the right, and lead the way ; 

We seem to hear thy heart-breathed earnest words, 

Till all the listening, silent soul is stirred. 

Out from those glorious mansions of the blest, 

Fraught with the wisdom gained before the throne, 

Thy tender counsels come to us anew T ; 

We seem to hear thee speak as oft before — 

" Sisters in Christ," do well his own blest work ; 

Search out the poor, befriend the friendless youth, 

Visit the widow and the fatherless ; 

When clouds loom dark, and earthly props are gone, 

Give succor in the hour of deep distress ; 

Reclaim the erring by long-suffering love. 

Leave none, whose needs this charity may reach, 

Cause to exclaim, "none careth for my soul !" 

Bear ye, and do, then cast your cares on Him 

Whose changeless promise is as solid rock, 

" Lo, I am with you, even to the end." 

Gather the lambs, and shield them from the storm ; 

" He took them in his arms," do ye the same, 

These little ones for whom he deigned to die ! 

Each with a soul to live when stars grow dim ! 

However poor or helpless they may seem, 

Protect and guard, and bring them to his fold ; 

And when all earthly things shall be dissolved, 

Then shall ye hear our Lord's own gracious words, 
i Enter ye now the home of the redeemed." 
These rescued ones portend no " starless crowns " — 

" As ye have done unto the least of these, 

So have ye done to me, the King of kings." 



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